Varanasi, or Benaras in Uttar Pradesh, India, also known as Kashi is one of the oldest pilgrim centers in the world. A visit to Kashi is believed to rid one from the cycle of birth and death. It’s a town of sadhus and pilgrims dressed in ochre robes chanting to the rhythm of temple bells amidst smoke from ceremonial and funeral fires.
The Dasashwamedh Ghat is the holiest spot in Benaras where the view of the sun rising can be spiritually rejuvenating. Do not miss the Aarti conducted everyday at sunset by a group of priests who sway in synchronization to the tolling of bells, and the dance of flames from the burning camphor as they worship the river and the goddess. You can take a ferry ride up to Manikarnika Ghat, one of Benaras’s two burning Ghats which is permanently lined with funeral pyres and bodies awaiting their final rites.
Other Ghats to see are Asi Ghat which is the confluence between the Asi and the Ganga rivers, the Tulsidas Ghat which is one of the oldest, the Darbhanga Ghat built in the 1900s by the royal family of Bihar. The Man Mandir Ghat, constructed by Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur, you’ll find one of his Jantar Mantars. There is also the Kashi Vishwanath Temple built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1776.
Vishwanath Gali is a good option to taste the local food like hot kachoris, aloo-puri, chaat and jalebis. Also try out samosas, rabri and the melt in the mouth Benarasi paan. In the same lane you can shop for the much famed Benaras saris. If you do not want to bargain visit the fixed rates shop at the UP Handloom and UPICA outlets. Thatheri bazaar is famous for brass handicrafts.
Distance: 809 km from Delhi
Best time to Visit: October to March
Getting there:
By Air: Nearest Airport is Babatpur Airport, 23 km from Benaras
By Train: The 2 railway stations, Varanasi Cantt and Mughal Sarai are well connected to Delhi.
By Road: 13 ½ hrs drive from Delhi.