14 Things to do in Varanasi if you are a First Timer

Things to do in Varanasi is not as numerous as to do lists in other cities, yet a few of them get overlooked by those planning a trip to this town. Varanasi is as old as human civilization. The ancient city nestled at the banks of the River Ganges is located in Uttar Pradesh.

One of the seven holy cities in India, Varanasi also has the names of Benares and Kashi. From birth to death, every aspect of earthy existence and some say even salvation is achieved only in the 5000-year-old city. The experience of the city is beyond words.

Two worlds come together in Varanasi and each one is spectacular in its own way. At the beating heart of Hindu culture, pilgrims believe that the city offers moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). And then there are overtures of modernity in activities such as the evening arti which is a spectacle on a grand scale.

Here is a list of 14 Things to do in Varanasi When You Visit This Holy City

1. Boat Ride in the Ganges River

The holy Ganges River supplies Varanasi with a spiritual charm with rowing boat rides during the dawn is perhaps one of the best things to do in Varanasi. The ride along the Ganges River is a few of the experiences of Varanasi you shall cherish for a lifetime.

It takes one through different Ghats and former palaces situated close to the banks of the Ganges, giving a panoramic view of this River and the region. Observe the Hindu rituals.

The best time to enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges River is the dawn hour as well as the dusk hour. Early morning from 5:30 AM to 8 AM is a good way to see the sunrise and the city engulf you in its charm. A sunset boat ride especially during the aarti is also spectacular.

2. Take Bath in the Ganges

The holy Ganges River supplies Varanasi with a spiritual charm. The waters of the Ganges River are sacred. The divine river offers salvation to everyone who bathes in the water.

Pilgrims from all over the world no matter their age take a dip in the water to absolve their sins and attain moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Varanasi has more than 84 Ghats with stairs leading to the waters. Bathing happens here seen since the crack of dawn. People chant prayers to appease the River Goddess.

3. Rendezvous with Gods at temples of Varanasi

Owing to their religious significance, temples feature high on the list of things to do in Varanasi. In the holy land of gods, the temples of Varanasi offer a direct rendezvous with gods. The ancient city has a temple in every nook and corner.

Some temples have links with legends of Hindu mythology and many are built to honor their faith. The architecture of the temples is of note. The spiritual ambiance is soul-cleansing and definitely worth your time.

The most popular of the temples here is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Encased in two gold domes the temple was built in 1780 by Queen Ahilyabai Holker of Indore. A Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva known as the Vishwanath is enshrined here.

Other popular temples are the 18th-century Durga Temple, Annapurna Temple, Ankatha Temple, Kalbhairav Temple, Mritunjay Mahadev Temple, Tulsi Manas, Sankatmochan, Bharat Mata Temple, etc.

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4. A Sunset Stroll Along The Ghats

The Ghats along the River Ganga in Varanasi are the most charming sight in the holy city. Strolling along the Ghats at sunset hours is an unrivaled experience. Exploring the Ghats is one of the best things to do in Varanasi.

The city has almost a hundred Ghats, the steps of each leading to the waters of the River Ganges. These are bathing Ghats, praying Ghats, and cremation sites for Hindus from all over the world.

Dashashwamedh Ghat, associated with two Hindu mythologies is one of the best places to explore. Some of the other major Ghats include the Assi Ghat, Mata Anandamai Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Munshi Ghat, Raj Ghat, Scindia Ghat, etc. Tulsi Ghat is believed to make people get rid of leprosy and is highly revered by all.

5. Evening Aarti Ceremony at Ganges River

When we talk about things to do in Varanasi, the evening arti does feature as one of the top activities when you are visiting Varanasi.

The Evening Aarti Ceremony at the Ganges River in Varanasi is undoubtedly a sight you shall cherish for a long time.

The surreal ceremony must be viewed from the Dasawamedh Ghat. Witness the beautiful rituals unfold themselves in front of your eyes and spellbinding you.

Brass lamps of large sizes of almost 4.5 kgs are used during the spiritual greeting. Chants, aromas of flowers, and incense create a heavenly blessing.

The dusk sky shines with the radiance of the divine. The Arti ceremony is performed every evening 45-minute ritual is held at 6: 45 PM.

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6. Looking for a weaver village in Varanasi?

The weavers of Varanasi are internationally known for creating some of the most beautiful masterpieces. The Sarai Mohana village is the weavers’ village and is popular for its silk weaving.

The Banarasi sarees made by these waivers are among the finest saris in India. Known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk, and opulent embroidery. These saris are mostly worn by Indian brides.

In the village of Sarai Mohana, get to know the craftsmanship of the weavers with their dissimilar designs.

These weavers work hard in designing these sarees to keep their individuality. The masterpiece of the sari needs 15 days to one month and sometimes up to six months to complete.

7. Go for a Sightseeing Tour of Sarnath

Sarnath is located just 12 km from the holy city of Varanasi. The holy site of Sarnath is popular because this is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. One of the four holy Buddhist sites, the relics of the area draw visitors in huge numbers.

Having faced destruction at the hands of Turks, there are some fascinating ruins to explore. The Dharmekh Stupa is impressive. Dating around 200 BC the pillar is 128 feet high, and 93 in diameter.

Mulagandhakuti Vihara marks the place where the Buddha spent his first rainy season in meditation. The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath has some interesting carvings.

Also, there are six national temples of various Asian communities, including a Tibetan temple and a Sri Lankan temple. The Archaeological museum of Sarnath is worth exploring as there are treasures housed here.

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8. Reminiscing history in Varanasi

History has been written in every era Varanasi has seen. Every period of time has left behind some intriguing remnants. The Gyan Vapi Well, the Well of Wisdom is believed to shelter the linga from the original Vishwanath Temple, which was sabotaged by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century.

The Benaras Hindu University, founded by Sanskrit scholar, Madan Mohan Malviya houses the famed Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum.

Browse through its rich collection of Indian paintings dating between the 11th century and 20th century and are about 12000 in number.

Ramnagar Fort located across the river beyond the Assi ghat was built in the 17th century. It has been the home to the royals of Varanasi for over 400 years. Although almost in ruins today, the palace still retains its charm and memorabilia.

Plenty of tourist attractions will delight your heart and soul throughout this North India Temples Tour including a visit to Haridwar, Rishikesh,Varanasi and Mathura inviting hordes of pilgrims every day.

9. Shopping in Varanasi

Shopping in Varanasi is a great way to bring home memories of the holy city. The city is widely famous for its silk saris and ornate jewels, visit the local market to explore the plethora of colors, intricate patterns, and elaborate designs.

Apart from saris, one can buy shawls, carpets, stone inlay work, bangles, and idols of Hindu or Buddhist deities. The main shopping areas to explore in this city include Vishwanath Lane, Thateri Bazaar, Chowk, and Godowilia.

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10. Eating Out in Varanasi Or Food in Varanasi

Food in Varanasi is a gastronomical experience. Relish the wide assortment of mouth-watering delicacies. The streets of Varanasi present you with the most famous food and various specialties unique to this city.

The famous snow cone, roasted peanuts, delicious chat items like Tamatar Chat, Pani Puri, Kachoris, Aloo Tikki, a variety of sweets like Jalebis, Banarasi Kalakand, Rabri, etc.

Another famous treat of Banaras is their Paan. It is a specialty of Varanasi made of betel leaf and should be definitely on your list.

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11. Places to Visit near Varanasi

Lying in the heart of India, Varanasi is almost at the center of the country. There are many places to visit near Varanasi. Visitors cannot leave without touring Vindhyachal, one of the 64 Shaktipeeths.

Check out Chandra Prabha Sanctuary endowed with beautiful picnic spots and blessed natural beauty. Chunar Fort and Jaunpur are of interest to architectural historians.

There are also some charming ruins of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples. Ram Nagar Durg Puja is also an amazing place to explore.

12. Hotels in Varanasi

Varanasi is visited by people throughout the year. From all walks of life, people visit the holy city for numerous reasons. Every visitor in the city can choose from options of hotels suiting their budget and other requirements.

Some old hotels date back to the era of Rajas and Maharajas in India. With ancient overlooking terraces and palatial accommodations to budget lodgings with all requisite facilities, there is always enough options to choose from Hotels in Varanasi.

13. Festivals & Events in Varanasi

There are many fairs and festivals in Varanasi all throughout the year. Bharat Milap (Oct-Nov) celebrates the homecoming of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, which falls a day after Dussehra.

Mahashivratri is a huge festival here as well and attracts thousands of devotees every year. On Buddh Purnima, a colorful fair in Sarnath witnesses a large gathering of Buddhists as it marks the birth of Lord Buddha.

The Ramleela is an enactment of the Ramayan and goes on for an entire month during October-November.

The Dhrupad Mela is a 5-day musical festival in March, on the Tulsi Ghat that brings together famous artists from India and abroad.

14. Visit the Historical Ramnagar Fort

Located on the eastern bank of the Ganges, Ramnagar Fort built by Kashi Naresh is a majestic sight to behold. A boat ride from Dashashmeveda Ghat offers great pho ops.

Although in a dilapidated state, the fort still stands imposingly tall beside the river bank. The fort is constructed entirely of sandstone containing pavilions, a courtyard, and several balconies.

One of the ‘to do’ things when you visit Ramnagar Fort is the Sarswati Museum. An array of vintage American cars, sedan chairs, and ivory works adorn the museum. But the prize is the remarkable armory.

Yet another reason to visit this fort and good time is the annual Ram Lila festival. Different episodes have enacted a part of the Ram Lila celebrations every October.

The festivities culminate on the 10th day with effigies of demon king Ravana burned to mark the victory of good over evil.

Best Time to Visit Varanasi

The best season to visit Varanasi is between October and March when the temperatures are in a comfortable range of 5-15 degrees Celsius. The winter months are also the occasion of festivals in Varanasi. Dussehra and Bharat Milap are celebrated in quick succession in September/October followed by the festival of lights, Diwali.

The Ganga Festival also takes place in November when people come from far and near to pay respect to the holy river Goddesses.

The summer and the monsoon fall in the months of April to September/October and it gets really hot at this time.

How to Reach Varanasi

Varanasi is easily accessible by air, railways, and road networks.

By Air

The nearest airport to reach Varanasi is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, 25 kilometers from the city center.

Regular domestic flights, as well as flights from Kathmandu and Thailand, are also available. From the air terminal; buses, auto, and cabs are easily accessible to the city.

By Rail

Varanasi Railway Station enjoys regular connectivity of trains from all over India. Mughal Sarai Railway station, 10 kilometers from the city also offers train options to numerous destinations in India. The railway station lies close to the city. Autos and cabs take you to any destination in the city.

By Road

The road network to reach Varanasi is wonderful. By road, the city has connectivity with major cities of Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states.

State-run buses and private air-conditioned buses also run on the route. In addition, cabs ensure hassle-free travel.

Without a doubt, the best tourist destination is Varanasi. In addition to its spiritual significance, the city is renowned and esteemed for its diversity and beauty.

Visitors to the city will find so much to interest and amaze them that they will be captivated by the sights and views for the rest of their lives.

At Indian Holiday, you can book your Varanasi tour packages by opting for private sightseeing tours with a guide. So, hurry now and book your package.

Nikhil Chandra

Digital marketer by profession and a keen traveler, amateur photographer and avid book reader by passion, Nikhil Chandra’s writing and photographs have been published in various travel magazines and blogs including Travel & Leisure, Seat 61, Mode&Tendances, Oryx Magazine (Qatar air inflight magazine) among others. Holding a masters in Literature and Marketing Management, Nikhil Chandra applies his educational qualifications, professional experience, and wander wisdom to write on a range of topics that includes search engine, PPC, content marketing, photography tips and travel. He summarizes himself succinctly as a writer here and there and on this and that.