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  About Varanasi

India's spiritual capital, Varanasi, is one of the holiest cities in the country. It is also called Kashi or Banaras and is located on the western banks of the Ganges. The Kashi Vishwanath temple, which is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most important and oldest temples in the city. It is also considered as one of the most auspicious places to die and is believed that you will get salvation or liberation from the cycle of life and death if you die here. The Ganga aarti that happens here in the evening is a sight to behold. The chants reverberate across the city, and it's a wonderful experience. The city has a lot of devotees and international tourists visiting considering the fact that it is a holy and popular city. Not just Hindus but Varanasi is an important city for Buddhists, too.

Best Time to Visit Varanasi

Winter is considered to be the best time to head to Varanasi. The temperature is low, and it is breezy all day, making it the right time to venture out. Winter here starts from November and lasts till February. The temperature ranges from 5 to 15 degree Celsius. This is best for you to take a stroll outside or explore the city. Chilling by the ghats with a cup of tea is simply ideal during this season. Since it is peak season, you might come across interesting flight deals to Varanasi online. Book a hotel in Varanasi that is closer to the main tourist spots so you won't have to spend additional time travelling. If you are in the city during this season, don't miss out on being a part of the Mahashivratri celebrations here.

July to October witnesses the monsoon season in Banaras, and the city receives torrential rainfall. Despite the heavy rains, the city sees a lot of pilgrims coming to offer their prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The temperature ranges from 25 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius. Even though the monsoon can put a damper on your plans to go sightseeing or venture out altogether, it does add a lot of charm to the beauty of the city. You can get drenched in the rains and enjoy the view from the ghats. In fact, river Ganga looks the best during monsoon, and it will surely please the water baby in you.

The city experiences summer from March to June. April and May are the hottest months, and the temperature rises to 45 degree Celsius. Planning any outdoor activity during the summer can turn into a bad decision. Though the areas near the ghats are somewhat pleasant, you won't be able to do any of the activities that you would otherwise take up in winter.

Places to Visit in Varanasi

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is among the top places to visit in Banaras. Since Banaras is considered as a holy city, you will find a lot of temples and spiritual places in the city. Apart from the temples, the city also has a lot of ghats you must go to. The Dashashwamedha ghat is of utmost importance and is also where the Ganga aarti takes place. The Hindu myth states that Lord Brahma sacrificed 10 horses in a yagna at this very spot, which is how the ghat got its name. The Assi Ghat is where you can soak in the view of the holy city and embrace your spirituality. A lot of pilgrims worship Lord Shiva here by praying to a huge lingam that is under a peepal tree. The Manikarnika Ghat is considered to be an auspicious place to be cremated. The Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple is also a popularly visited place of worship.

You will also find Buddhist temples in the city like the Tibetan temple. Folklore suggests that this is the spot where Lord Buddha guided his disciples to follow the path of spirituality. The Panchganga ghat is yet another ghat worth visiting. This is believed to be the meeting place of holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhutpapa. A lot of travellers come here to experience all the positivity and peaceful vibes of the ghat. Kedar Ghat is considered to be the cleanest ghats in the city to bathe before offering your prayers in a temple. You will find a palace and an observatory built by Maharaja Man Singh and Savai Jaisingh 2 respectively, in the 17th century, at the Manmandir Ghat. The view of River Ganga from the palace and the observatory is simply spectacular.

Things to do in Varanasi

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is known to be one of the oldest temples in the city and is also one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the world. Take a tour of all the temples in the city during your trip to Banaras. Apart from temples, you can also take a tour of the ghats to soak in the beautiful view of the Ganges. Most ghats in the city are of mythological and historical importance. Some even have religious and spiritual significance. The Dashashwamedha ghat, Assi Ghat, Kedar Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat and the list goes on. Taking a bath in the holy Ganges is something that every pilgrim does in Banaras. It is believed that taking a dip in the Ganges relieves you of all your sins. It will certainly be an experience of a lifetime for you. Go boating at river Ganga and catch the most mesmerizing sunset. You will feel rejuvenated instantly.

Don't forget to visit Sarnath, which is approximately 13 km away from the city. The Dhamek Stupa is of spiritual importance, and a must-visit if you want to learn more about Buddhism. You can also visit the Tibetan temple, another sacred place of worship for Buddhists. You cannot miss the Ganga aarti that happens in the evening before dusk. It is the most magnificent thing to experience, and no videos on the internet do justice to how spectacular it is when you watch it live. Varanasi is also known for its street food and the delicious aloo puris. Banaras is also popular for its Lassi, and you can't leave without treating yourself to a glass of lassi. Banarasi silk sarees, chikankari work and items that can be used for your pujas; you will find everything you need at the markets in Banaras. The local bazaars are the best places to go on a shopping spree.

Food and Restaurants in Varanasi

Varanasi is famous for its desi delicacies that will be a delight to your taste buds. The Kachori sabzis, chena dahi vada, choora matar, thandai, lassi, baati chokha, tamatar chaat, etc. are some of the popular street foods in Banaras. The city also has a lot of cafes and restaurants that serve great food with a relaxing ambience, and some even have a view of the Ganges. You must definitely try the lassis and thandais in the city. Since this is considered to be a sacred city of religious importance, it will be difficult to find any alcohol here, especially anywhere near the temples.

The Brown Bread Bakery, near the Dashashwamedh Ghat, is the city's first organic bakery and is also a rooftop restaurant. It is popular for its European Breakfast Buffet, and the view from the rooftop restaurant only adds to the ambience. The Lotus Lounge is yet another popular terrace lounge in the city that's right next to the Mansarovar ghat. The whole decor of the place will lift your mood instantly. Make sure you also order the hot chocolate here. Rooftop Restaurant at Assi Ghat is another restaurant that you must go to in Banaras. The restaurant has Chinese, Continental and Indian cuisine on its menu. Kashi Chaat Bhandar at Godowlia Chowk is the place to go to if you are in the mood for some chaat. The tomato chaat here, which is served in mud pots, is worth a try and you will definitely love it. Though it is a small place, it is always crowded early in the morning and in the evenings. In fact, some travellers even agree to wait in the queue for hours to try the chaat here.

How to reach Varanasi (Transportation)

By Air

Banaras has its own airport called Varanasi Airport. The flight connectivity from Varanasi is quite limited, though, and it is only connected to major cities like Mumbai and Delhi. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the closest international airport nearby. You will easily get taxis or buses from Delhi. In fact, a connecting flight from Delhi is one of the most popular routes to Varanasi by air. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Varanasi well in advance.

By Rail

The Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction connect to the various other major cities in the country. The Rajdhani Express also passes through Varanasi. It's also a very convenient and budget-friendly way to travel to Varanasi.

By Road

The city is also well-connected by roads. Buses and taxis from other cities of Uttar Pradesh and nearby cities run frequently to Varanasi.

  About Go First

Go First is one of the most preferred airlines by passengers in the country. It commenced operations in 2005 and went on to become the fifth largest airline in India. It was founded by Jehangir Wadia, who is the son of industrialist Nusli Wadia. Go First started its operations using an Airbus A320. In the beginning, the airlines only operated to four cities that included Goa and Coimbatore. The airline operates 330 daily flights to 38 destinations, of which 27 are domestic cities, and 11 are international. The airline has hubs at major airports like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata and Kannur International Airport. The international flights only take off from its major hubs. Go First launched its inaugural flight to Phuket in 2018 and also has a direct flight to Phuket without any layovers.

Go First became the fifth largest airline in the market after the end of Kingfisher Airlines. In fact, back in 2009, British Airways also showed interest in buying a stake in Go First. The airline's growth has been slow but quite impressive, too. You can book a Go First flight on the go quite literally. The airline offers you a ton of options to choose the right flick as per your budget and time. You can either book your tickets online, on their website, or through travel agents. You can even call up the call centres or get a ticket at one of the Go First counters. Its main aim is to offer an efficient means of air travel that won't burn a hole in your pocket. Not to mention, they also keep you updated on the flight status and any ongoing or upcoming offers. You can also pre-book your seats at a nominal price, so you travel in comfort. The airline also has international SIM card offers on its website for its passengers.

The airline has 57 aircraft in service, 15 Airbus A320-200 aircraft and 42 Airbus A320neo aircraft. Both of the aircraft can accommodate 180-186 passengers. Go First earned the title 'Best Domestic Airline for Excellency in Quality and Efficient Service by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association in 2008 and also went on to winning the 'Best Performing Airline' in Asia and Africa in 2011. The airline strives to and makes sure that it increases efficiency. You will also come across quite a few offers for citizens and students who are boarding a Go First flight. The airline is also known for its punctuality. You can never be late if you are on a Go First flight unless there are climatic restrictions or emergencies.

Fleet Size of Go First

Go First has two types of aircraft in service, the Airbus A320-200 and Airbus A320neo. The airline got its first A320neo aircraft in 2016 and went on to sign a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 72 more aircraft. It has 15 A320-200 aircraft that can accommodate 180 passengers. There are more than 42 Airbus A320neo aircraft that accommodate up to 186 passengers. The aircraft only has economy class, but it also has offers that can enable you to pre-book a seat as per your convenience.

Baggage Allowance

Go First has certain baggage allowance restrictions that every passenger must follow. The airline also makes sure that they keep the passengers informed about all of the rules and regulations. The maximum limit for your check-in baggage is 20 kg, and cabin baggage cannot exceed 7 kg. However, if your luggage is exceeding the limit, you will have to inform the airline in advance and also pay a nominal fee for baggage allowance. You can do it through their website or approach the call centre to help you with the process. If you are travelling with an infant, you are allowed one extra cabin baggage not exceeding 7 kg. You will not have to pay extra for it. Make sure you get your web check-in done in advance online, so you don't have to wait in the queue at the airport. Though there are very few times that a passenger's luggage gets lost, the staff is quick to help you locate your luggage and help you with the whole process. You will also have to ensure that you are not carrying explosive or combustible gases or anything that has been restricted by the airline. A list of things to not carry in your check-in baggage comes with your ticket to ensure that you give it a read. You can also not pack your power banks and portable charges in your check-in luggage. Make sure you carry all your electronics and chargers in your cabin baggage. If you have ticked all of these boxes before reaching the airport, you can get your boarding pass quickly and chill at the airport lounge, near your gate, till it is time to board the flight. It also means less hassle for the passengers who are next in line.

In-flight Services

Go First has quite a few in-flight services for its passengers. If you are registered under Go Business, you will get to take advantage of facilities like free meals, pre-booking seats that have greater legroom as compared to the other seats, priority boarding and increased baggage allowance. The airline also publishes its own magazine called Go Getter, which you can access during your flight. The airline does not have any other in-flight entertainment services apart from the magazine. The airline does not provide earplugs, chewing gums or cotton, if you are sensitive to high altitude, so you will have to carry your own. They also don't serve alcohol in the flight, but they do let you carry your own food inside the aircraft. Serving alcohol is also strictly prohibited in the aircraft. If you are carrying a bottle of water, make sure it is not over 100 ml.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Go First

Go First connects to various domestic and international routes daily. It connects to 11 international destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Singapore, Male, Kuwait City and Dubai. It connects to domestic cities like Goa, Delhi, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Kannur, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Chennai, Chandigarh, Bagdogra, Leh, Lucknow, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Patna, Ranchi and Port Blair. Go First has over 330 flights operating daily to various cities, both domestic and international. The staff is also quite friendly and will guide with whether or not you can explore the city to kill time during long layovers. One of the best features of the airline is that it sticks to the Go First flight schedule. You will rarely experience a delay in flights unless there is an emergency of sorts. Even if there are delays, the airline makes it a point to inform you well in advance so you can plan your commute accordingly.

Why Travel by Go First?

Go First is known for its punctuality and efficiency. Not only does it offer low fares to passengers, but it also offers the best services. You can book a Go First flight in a few easy steps and all by yourself. If you have missed your connecting flight due to late arrival, the staff tries to accommodate you in the next flight so you can reach your destination on time. You can check the Go First flight schedule and their flight status on the website. You will also SMS alerts from the airline quite frequently till you board your flight. You can also easily complete your web check-in a day before your flight. The website is very user-friendly, and if you are still unsure, you can call up the call centre to ask one of the executives to help you out. If you are travelling by Go First, make sure you reach on time because the staff and the airline are quite punctual. If you have a lot of luggage, it is all the more important that you reach before time so you can get your luggage sorted. The airline offers services that you can use to either get discounts on your fares or pay extra to use the premium facilities. If you sign up for the premium services, you can get priority over choosing your seat, baggage and free meals. You will also get access to the VIP lounges at the airport after you are done with your security check and other formalities.

Go First aims to make travel fun, convenient and affordable to its passengers. Its reputation has grown strong over the years, and it is surely making its way up to the top. It is one of the most preferred airlines among customers for all the right reasons. In addition to the services that you get as a premium passenger, Go First also offers international SIM on its website. If you are travelling internationally, you can look this up on their website and choose a suitable plan depending on your travel plans. You can avoid being hassled by phone company stalls at the international airports to try and sell you their phone plan.

  About Varanasi Airport

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport or popularly known as Varanasi Airport is located in Babatpur, located about 26 km away from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Initially, the airport was called Varanasi Airport. However, the airline was renamed as Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport to honour the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri. The change of name took place in 2005. It is known to be the 20th busiest airport in India, with respect to passenger traffic. The airport is also the second-busiest airport in Uttar Pradesh, following Lucknow, the state capital. Varanasi Airport is recognised for its passenger traffic that comes from domestic as well as international routes. As a holy city, the airport has been witnessing a growth in passengers and even cargo traffic. The airline features a single runway made of asphalt with two exits and one main apron. The airport connects to prominent domestic cities and international ones too that are in proximity to the country.

About Varanasi Airport Terminals

Currently, Varanasi Airport has three terminals, one reserved for domestic, one for international and one for cargo. The domestic terminal is perfectly equipped with modern technologies and the most modern facilities. These include escalators as well as baggage handling systems. Meanwhile, the international terminal has exemplary operations which connect to various cities abroad. Not to mention how the airport is also equipped with the necessary facilities to cater to the comfort of the passengers. The cargo terminal is half a kilometre away from the passenger airport terminal. The cargo does have facilities such as warehouse and transportation facilities for the cargo goods. The cargo terminal also has strong security that ensures to keep the goods safe. The floor area of the domestic and international terminals as measured, rounds up to 26,500 square metres. The terminals have been kept clean and spotless. Many travellers have advocated for the same by stating how Varanasi Airport is neat and has some of the finest facilities.

There are about 16 check-in counters and are also equipped with CUTE (common-user terminal equipment), four immigration booths as well as emigration counters, two baggage-claim conveyor belts and enough snack stalls. The terminal also has a seating area in the upper-level with aerobridge gates. Meanwhile, the ground-level terminal directly reaches the aircraft apron.

About airport authority

Due to the demand for Varanasi Airport has increased over the years, the Airports Authority of India has planned to expand the runway. The current runway is sprawled across 9,020 ft, but the AAI plans to expand it to 13,369 ft. An underpass to connect to the airport is also being constructed as part of the expansion plan. This underpass will be intersecting with National Highway 31. The new terminal that the airport authority has proposed is speculated to be completed by 2024. Overall, the area of the newly expanded airport would be 58,691 square metres. The passenger capacity would also be increased to 4.5 million annually.

Facilities at Varanasi Airport

Baggage - There are excellent baggage facilities available at the Varanasi Airport. Some of them include provisions of free baggage cost, trolleys, wrapping services and more. The airport does not have a storage facility as such for baggage. However, it does have dedicated security checks for bags as well as wrapping services. You can safeguard your bags from damage by wrapping them with plastic. Plus, you can use the trolleys, present at regular intervals, to keep all your bags together.

Restaurants and cafes - Although designated entertainment zones are not available at the airport. However, it does have some restaurants and cafes within its premise. Passengers after check-in can find some food joints at the waiting lounge. The restaurants are mostly local cuisine-based and made in a hygienic environment. The meals are fresh and made right in front of the customers. The prices of the meals and refreshments are also quite reasonable and affordable. Unlike how some of the big airports have exorbitant rates for the meals, Varanasi Airport has considerably affordable prices for their meals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals sections of the airport.

Shopping outlets - Further, to enhance the entertainment quotient and to add to the tourism of the state, the airport has reserved some stalls for shops. You can find local handicrafts, jewellery, books, magazines, newspapers and more such products. These can be found after the security-check, at the departures lounge. You can make some last-minute purchases too if need be. The prices vary, depending on what you wish to purchase.

ATMs - Varanasi sees a lot of international travellers who need to return to Delhi for their flights abroad. Hence, the airport has ensured to provide ATMs and foreign exchange services. You can find these booths at the airport's arrivals section of the terminal. The ATMs are enabled to read all types of debit cards, and money can be withdrawn. As for money transfers, the currency exchange counters are available for the same.

Special assistance - At the airport, you can ask for special assistance if you have mobility issues or need help. The airport staff has been trained to cater to the needs of the passengers with respect to traversing within the vicinity. This includes getting the baggage checked or to pass through the security check. Provisions of wheelchairs have also been made as part of their services to the passengers. Senior citizens and individuals with mobility concerns can avail the same. Informing the airlines with special requirements would be ideal as that way, the airport would be prepared with all the necessary equipment.

Medical services - With a view to attending medical emergencies, Varanasi Airport has also reserved special provisions for the same. Although there are not many medical rooms or paramedics available at the airport, they have on-call doctors plus staff to help with the medical emergencies. The airport also has pharmacies, in case you have run out of any specific medication from your list. Information concerning the medical services can be found at the airport's information desk.

Smoking rooms - Smoking lounges are available at Varanasi Airport. Although smoking is prohibited in public, the airport has installed one smoking zone where passengers can smoke. There are provisions for cigarette boxes also present at the airport's premise.

Top airlines flying from Varanasi Airport

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport sees a tremendously good connection with major cities in India. The airport also accommodates a slew of airlines and has international flights too. The major domestic airlines that operate from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport are Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. As for international flights from Varanasi Airport, these include Air India Express, Buddha Air, Malindo Air, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile. The airport connects to domestic cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Agra, Chennai, Gaya, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Jaipur, Goa, Khajuraho, to name a few. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport also sees flights connecting to international cities such as Bangkok, Colombo and Kuala Lumpur.

How to reach Varanasi Airport

By Bus and taxi

The bus stand is centrally located in Varanasi and is away from the airport. There are no bus stands or direct buses that would reach the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. The only way to reach the airport would be to hail a taxicab or get a car rental. You can find rentals at the airport's arrivals section. The perks of rentals are that once your trip concludes, you can directly take the transport service to the airport and drop it there. This way, you avoid the concerns of being stranded without any transport. The best way to reach Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is by hailing auto rickshaws. The city has an abundance of rickshaw services that travellers can avail.

By Rail

The distance between Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and Varanasi Railway Station is approximately 18.9 km. Often travellers who are travelling from other parts of Uttar Pradesh use the railway as a means to reach the city. Hence, for you to reach Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from the railway station, it is essential to take a taxi cab. Auto-rickshaws are also available outside the railway station that you can hail to reach Varanasi Airport. It will take more than 30 minutes to reach Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from the railway station though. You will have to prepare yourself for the travel time as it heavily depends on the traffic situations too. Luckily, the railway station always has rickshaw and taxi services available to connect to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.

About Varanasi

Varanasi, popularly known as Benares or Kashi, is a holy city that is perched on the banks of the Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is about 320 kilometres away from the state capital, Lucknow. It is considered to be one of the seven holiest cities and sees tremendous significance in Hinduism and Jainism. The city is served by Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and Varanasi Junction railway station. The city also has connections with Buddhism and is considered to be one of the most visited holy cities in the country.