Discover the Soul of India: Places to Visit in Varanasi

Varanasi is the place where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern life. This city, often referred to as Kashi or Banaras,and it is one of the best spiritual destinations in Indian tours. As it is not just a pilgrimage site for millions of Hindus but also a treasure trove of history, culture, and vibrant local life. 

Uttar Pradesh is a state that offers lot of things to do, and Varanasi offers a lot of things to explore……. This is one of the Historical places in India. When you step in this place you will feel the solace and your mind finds peace. Even if you’re not spiritual, you’ll still fall in love with Varanasi.The modern outer neighborhoods offer more room and follow a more organized layout. The holy city is encircled by a road called Panchakosi, and it is believed that Once in a lifetime one should walk through that road and visit the city.

Most of the people come to Varanasi in old age to stay there and die there so that they can find peace and solace in the external world.  

 If you are looking for the best places to visit in Varanasi, you’re in for a captivating journey that touches your soul and awakens your senses. Let’s explore the top attractions and must-see places in Varanasi in detail.

1. The Ghats of Varanasi

• Dashashwamedh Ghat:

Dashswamedh Ghat is the most famous of them all. This ghat is one of the oldest and most sacred ghats in the holy city of Varanasi. The bustling ghat is the site of the grand Ganga Aarti and is famous for Ganga aarti.

This ceremony takes place every evening in the Dashswamedh Ghat in Varanasi. Watching the priests perform the elaborate rituals with fire and chanting sacred mantras creates a mesmerizing and spiritual experience. 

The aarti lasts about 45 mins. The hour-long ritual can be watched from the ghat or boats moored at the river bank. Devotees float smaller diyas on leaf platters in the river as an obeisance to the holy Ganga. The innumerable lamps flowing in the water make for an unforgettable sight.This is one of the places to visit in varanasi.

• Manikarnika Ghat:

Manikarnika Ghat is another significant ghat in Varanasi. This Ghat is the highest position among other ghats by the holy scriptures in Hindu puranas. It is believed that goddess Sati or Adhi Shakti, jumped into the fire and immolated herself, Lord Shiva carried her burning body to the Himalayas.

He was overwhelmed by boundless grief there. Lord Vishnu, touched by his suffering, sent his Divine Chakra (one of his weapons), which sliced Goddess Adi Shakti’s body into 51 parts. Each place on Earth where her body parts landed was designated as a Shakti Peeth. 

Since her earrings fell at this ghat, it was established as a Shakti Peeth and named Manikarnika, derived from the Sanskrit word “Manikarna”, meaning earrings. Manikarnika Ghat is known for its burning ghats and cremation rituals. Witnessing the rituals here can be a profound experience, reflecting the circle of life and death in Hindu belief. This is one of the places to visit in varanasi.

• Assi Ghat:

Assi ghat is a favorite among locals and tourists alike for its serene environment. It is located in the southern part of the holy city of varanasi at the joining of ganga and river Assis. Early mornings at Assi Ghat offer beautiful views of the sunrise over the Ganges, as people perform yoga and take holy dips in the river.

Assi Ghat varanasi famous for its evening aarti, most of the tourists visit this ghat to view the aarti and get a glimpse of local varanasi culture. Well there are so many  mythological tales around this Assi ghat. It is believed that goddess Durga after killing Shumbha – Nishumbha, threw her sword which landed in this place and the spot where the sword landed gave rise to a river known as Assi. 

According to another mythological tale, Lord Rudra (an aspect of Lord Shiva) became enraged with the Asuras and eradicated 80 of them at this very site. This is how it earned the name Assi, meaning “80” in Hindi. However, after slaying the Asuras, Lord Rudra regretted his actions and wished he hadn’t resorted to violence. Consequently, he renounced all forms of aggression and declared Varanasi as a symbol of non-violence. This is one of the places to visit in varanasi.

• Harishchandra Ghat:

Harishchandra Ghat is also an important place, known for its traditional cremation rituals. It is believed that being cremated here leads a person to attain salvation. The ghat offers insight into the city’s age-old customs and beliefs surrounding life and death.

Why does the ghat have the name harishchandra ghat? Well there is an interesting story about this. It is believed that King Harishchandra, the great king of varanasi worked at the cremation grounds to establish the truth and justice. 

The king gave all this kingdom and sacrificed his wife and son and passed his final test. The god was finally rewarded for his truthfulness and he rewarded him with kingdom, throne and son.

The legendary King Harishchandra story is narrated with as much zeal today as it was thousands of years back and his character is used as a perimeter to measure a man’s honesty and integrity of character.

A boat ride along the ghats, especially during sunrise or sunset is the world’s best sunset and it is a way to experience the beauty of Varanasi.

2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple was on the west side of the bank of Ganga river in Varanasi and it is dedicated to lord Shiva who has been worshiped here as Vishwanath or Vishweshwar for thousands of years. The number of devotees visit this temple in a year. 

India is the land of festivals, culture, traditions and most of the devotees visit Kashi or Varanasi to take solace and get a dip in spirituality. No matter what season or month it might be, Varanasi is always full of life.

There were multiple earlier versions of the temple, potentially over a thousand years old. The first documented large-scale reconstruction was approved by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1585. However, his great-grandson Aurangzeb ordered its destruction in 1699 and repurposed the debris for a nearby mosque. 

The current structure, known as the Golden Temple due to the gold used in later plating its spires and domes, is believed to have been constructed in the 18th century by Ahalya Bai of the Holkar dynasty. The temple’s columns, beams, and walls are adorned with intricate carvings.

According to Hinduism, going to Varanasi and visiting the Kashi Vishwanatha temple and bathing in Ganges are important stages to get the liberation. Each year during Mahashivaratri, a grand procession is held from the Mahamrityunjaya Temple to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. 

Varanasi is a spiritual city and there are so many temples in Varanasi and you must visit the 

• Vishalakshi temple, Shakti Peeth.
• Kalabhairava Temple
• Durga Maa Temple
• Annapurna devi
• Mritunjay Mahadev Temple 
• Tulasi Manas temple
• Ratneshwar Mahadev
• Lalita Gauri temple
• Durga Kund
• Sankatadevi temple

And there are some Surya Kund temples, most people don’t know about. A special pooja was performed there. There are 12 surya.

• Arun Aditya
• Drupad Aditya
• Ganga Aditya
• Keshava Aditya
• Kakholkh Aditya
• Lolark Aditya
• Mayukh Aditya
• Sambha Aditya
• Uttarark Aditya
• Vimal Aditya
• Vriddh Aditya
• Yama Aditya

3. Sarnath

In the 4th century A.D., under the rule of the Gupta dynasty, Sarnath thrived as a hub for art and Buddhist sculpture. By the 7th century, Sarnath had developed into a significant center for Buddhist studies, housing thousands of monks in its monasteries.

There is a deer park in Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha preached his first Dharma sermon. Buddhism thrived in Sarnath because of its close location to Varanasi. Later Mauryan Emperor Ashoka constructed many of the structures in Sarnath a couple of centuries after the establishment of Buddhism. His remorse over the violent conquest of Kalinga (present-day Odisha) led him to embrace Buddhism and adopt a path of nonviolence. Ashoka enthusiastically built stupas and pillars throughout India to spread the religion.

The most renowned pillar is located in Sarnath. India’s national emblem, featuring four lions and a dharma chakra (a wheel symbolizing), is inspired by this pillar. The chakra also appears on the Indian flag.

In the 12th century, Turkish Muslim invaders ravaged Sarnath and many other Buddhist sites in North India. Subsequently, much of the Dharmarajika Stupa, originally built by Ashoka, was further demolished in the late 18th century for construction materials. However, Sarnath’s rediscovery spurred British archaeologists to excavate the site in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, the Indian government aims to secure Sarnath a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” status and is planning to develop top-tier facilities for pilgrims and tourists.Most of the tourists visit this place and explore, it gives a unique refreshment and peace. It is also a sightseeing place in Varanasi. 

There are some places one must visit:

• Dhamek Stupa: This  is the most significant structure here and a revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists.
• Chaukhandi Stupa: Marks the place where Buddha first met his 4 disciples.
• Sarnath Archaeological Museum: The house has an impressive collection of Buddhist artifacts and sculptures, including the iconic Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Sarnath offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city and provides insight into the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.

4. Vyasa Kashi

Vyasa Kashi holds significant mythological importance in the Hindu tradition. It is believed that Maharishi Vyas, the legendary sage who composed the Mahabharata and several other Hindu scriptures, settled in this sacred place. According to the legend, Maharishi Vyas incurred the wrath of Annapurna Devi, the goddess of food, due to his inability to control his hunger. In his anger, he decided to curse Kashi (Varanasi).

As a consequence of his curse, Vyas was prohibited from entering the holy city of Kashi. In response, Vyas Maharishi settled in a place which came to be known as Vyasa Kashi. Here, he took the form of a Shivling, a representation of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that his presence in Vyasa Kashi sanctifies the area, and pilgrims often visit to seek blessings and offer prayers.

One of the notable landmarks in Vyasa Kashi is the Ramnagar Fort, situated on the opposite bank of the Ganga River.

5. Sankatmochan hanuman temple

6. Ramnagar Fort

7. Vishwanath Gali

There are shops also where you can buy the rudraksha (original), brass items and other spiritual items.Varanasi is famous for the muslin fabric and skills and this market is the perfect place to shop for silk saris, jewelry, and handicrafts unique to Varanasi.

The street is also home to several small temples and shrines, adding a spiritual touch to your shopping experience. Vishwanath Gali is an excellent place to soak in the local culture and bring back a few souvenirs to remember your trip.

8. Chunar Fort

9. Nepali Temple

10. Bharat Mata Temple

11. Local Cuisine and Street Food

 Leaving Varanasi without tasting the street food of Varanasi and Paan is not complete.While  exploring the best places to visit in Varanasi, don’t forget to indulge in the city’s mouthwatering local cuisine and street food.

The amount of vivid colors you find in their history and culture you will get much more taste in their food, which is the speciality of kashi- Varanasi.

One of them is Thatheri Bazaar. Want to have a mouth blasting day, start in the morning with chai. One of the oldest chai stalls, Laskshmi chai stall is a 90 years old chai stall. The shop opens in the morning at 4 am and closes around 12 at night. Their chai and malai toast is so famous. Must try one in Varanasi.

After having a good chai and toast it’s the time to have a good full breakfast and the most famous one Kachori Sabzi is a popular breakfast. Ram bhandar, Thatheri Bazaar is the oldest joint shop known for its Kachori Sabzi and the Indian Sweet Jalebi.

ShreeJi Sweets and Milk is also one of the famous places in Thatheri Bazar.The most famous sweet is malaiyo. The shop opens at 7 in the morning and closes by 11 in the night. Lassi  and thandai are must-try beverages, perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

“Banaras aaye panda khaye to kya khas Banaras aaye” and as Amithab Ji said once 

“khaike paan Banaras wala

Khuli jaaye band aqal ka tala”    

Trying the Banarasi Paan is must, a betel leaf preparation with various fillings, is a traditional treat found on nearly every street corner.

Varanasi’s culinary scene is a treat for food lovers and provides a taste of the city’s rich heritage.

Conclusion