Varanasi, also known as “Kashi“, is a captivating city nestled on the banks of the sacred Ganges River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. With a history dating back thousands of years, One of the oldest cities in the world that has been inhabited constantly is Varanasi. Here are some Best places to visit in Varanasi.

Best Places To Visit In Varanasi

1. Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi

Dashashwamedh Ghat is a main ghat in Varanasi located on the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple. There are two Hindu legends associated with the ghat: according to one, Brahma created it to welcome Shiva, and in another, Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna.

Click here to get location of Dashashwmedh Ghat

Address : Dashashwamedh Ghat Rd, Ghats of Varanasi, Godowlia, Varanasi

Dashashwamedh Timings:

You Can visit Dashashwamed Ghat everyday 24 hours.

2. Dhamek Stupa, Vanarasi

Dhamek Stupa is a massive stupa located at the archaeological site of Sarnath in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Dhamek Stupa marks the precise location where the Buddha preached his first discourse to his first five disciples, and where all five eventually became fully liberated.

Click here to get location of Dhamek Stupa , Sarnath

Address : 92JF+9R6, Dharmapala Rd, Singhpur, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007

Dhamek Stupa Timings:

You Can visit Dhamek Stupa everyday from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Dhamek Stupa Entry Fees

There is certain entry fees to visit Dhamek Stupa..

• 5 Rs per person for Indian Citizens
• 100 Rs per person for Foreigners
• 25 Rs for Camera

3. Ramnagar Fort, Vanarasi

The Ramnagar Fort is a fortification in Ramnagar, Varanasi, India. It is located near the Ganges on its eastern bank, opposite to the Tulsi Ghat. The sandstone structure was built in the Rajputana style in 1750 by Kashi Naresh Maharaja Balwant Singh. 

Click here to get location of Ramnagar Fort

Address :Varanasi Rd, Ram nagar, Ramnagar

Ramnagar Fort Timings & Entry Fees :

You Can visit Ramnagar Fort everyday from 10:00 am – 05:00 pm .

There is no Entry Fees to visit Ramnagar Fort .

4. Ganga Aarti, Varanasi

नमामि गंगे तव पाद पंकजम्,
सुरासुरैः वंदित दिव्य रूपम् ।
भुक्तिं च मुक्तिं च ददासि नित्यं,
भावानुसारेण सदा नराणाम् ॥

Every morning and evening on the banks of the revered Ganges, a significant ceremony known as Ganga Aarti is performed on a large scale. At Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Aarti is performed by the priests. A powerful heavenly light that may be felt illuminates the whole Ghat. Huge brass lamps filled with oil are ignited as part of the beautiful ceremony, and priests sing sacred chants that resound across the whole space.

Click here to get location of Ganga Aarti

Address : B1/150 C1 Assi ghat jagannath gully, near pushkar talaab, Varanasi

Ganga Aarti Timings:

It would begin around 07:00 Pm in the summer and 06:00 Pm in the winter. The Assi Ghat is the focus of the morning aarti, whilst Dashashwamedh Ghat is the focus of the sunset aarti.

Ganga Aarti Booking Details:

• Booking Phone Number: +91-8470930672
• Ticket Size: 2 Members (For Additional Member 1100 Rs Per Member )
• Ticket Price: Rs. 2100 Only (1100 Rs for Every Additional Member)
• Reporting Time: 05 PM
• Ticket Booking URL: Book Ganga Aarti or You can visit official website https://kashiarchan.com/ganga-aarti-in-varanasi/

You can Find more detail about Ganga Aarti here https://www.yourvacationtrip.com/ganga-aarti-banaras/

Ganga Aarti ( Timing & Travel Guide)

5. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located in Vishwanath Gali, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Shaivites and is among the twelve Jyotirlinga, shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva.

Click here to get location of Kshi vishwnath Tempale

Address :: Chief Executive Officer Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Help Desk CK 37/40,41,42 Bansphatak, Varanasi-221 001 

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings:

You Can visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple everyday From 4:00 am – 11:00 am and
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

6. Alamgir Masjid, Varanasi

In memory of his own honorific title “Alamgir,” which he had assumed after becoming the emperor of the Mughal empire, Aurangzeb erected a mosque on the site of the old Bindu Madhav temple in Varanasi in 1673. He called it the Alamagir Mosque.

Click here to get location of Alamgir Masjid

Address : Panchganga Ghat, Ghasi Tola, Varanasi

Alamgir Masjid Timings & Entry Fees :

• You Can visit Alamgir Masjid everyday from 07:00am to 07:00 pm. and there is no entry fees to visit Alamgir Masjid.
• There is no entry fees to visit Alamgir Masjid.

7. Assi Ghat, Varanasi

As per an age-old legend, Assi Ghat was formed when Goddess Durga threw her sword into the sacred river after destroying a devil with it. The place where she stood became the ghat and since then the place became an essential ritualistic site in Varanasi.

Click here to get location of Assi Ghat

Address :Nagwa Rd, Assi ghat, Anandbagh, Dumraon Colony, Varanasi

Assi Ghat Timings :

You Can visit city palace Assi Ghat everyday from 12 am – 12:00 pm. Aarti on the Assi ghats starts at 06:15 am and to 06:30 am

8. Tulsi Manasa Temple, Varanasi

Constructed in 1964, this temple is devoted to Lord Rama and is quoted after the saint-poet Tulsi Das. It exhibits different inscriptions from the Ram Charit Manas on the walls of the temple and depicts the Shikhara class of architecture.

Click here to get location of Tulsi Manasa Temple

Address :Tulsi Manas Mandir, Near Durga Kund, Sankat Mochan Rd, Naria, Varanasi

Tulsi Manasa Temple Timings :

You Can visit city palace Tulsi Manasa Temple opens everyday .

However, the temple is open during the following hours:

• Hours in the Morning: 5:30 am to 12:00 pm
• Hours in the Evening: 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Aarti is observed twice daily at the temple. At 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM, respectively, the morning and evening aartis are held.

9. Iskcon Temple, Varanasi

Built in the year 1966 by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, this sanctum is a Vaishnavite temple chain formed by the ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness). Considered to be the pious followers of Lord Krishna, this community devotedly worships and spreads Lord Krishna’s teaching noted in the Hindu epic, Bhagwat Gita.

Click here to get location of Iskon Temple

Address:B 27/80, Durgakund Road, Varanasi

Iskcon Temple Timings:

• Timings Summer : (4:30 AM to 12:45 PM, 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM).
• Timings Winter : (4:30 AM to 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 8:15 PM).

10. Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, Varanasi

Bharat Kala Bhavan is a university museum located in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. It has been instrumental in the dissemination of knowledge on Indian art and culture. It is one of the important touristic attractions in the Banaras Hindu University and in the city of Varanasi.

Click here to get location of Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum

Address :Banaras Hindu University, Semi Circle Road No-3 Opp. Institute of Mgmt Studies, Varanasi

Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum Timings:

• Open on all days except Monday
• 07:00 AM – 01:30 PM (May & June)
• 10:30 AM – 04:30 PM ( Rest of the year)

Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum Entry Fees

• 5 Rs Per Head(for Indians)
• 40 Rs Per Head(for foreigners)

Photo Gallery Of Varanasi Places

Tour Plan for Varanasi

Here’s a Recommended tour plan for Varanasi:

Day 1:

1. Arrival in Varanasi: Arrive at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport or Varanasi Junction Railway Station.
2. Check in at the hotel and take some rest to recover from your journey.
3. In the evening, head to the Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony. It is a beautiful and spiritual experience where priests perform rituals with fire, incense, and lamps on the banks of the Ganges River.

Day 2:

1. Early morning boat ride: Start your day with a serene boat ride on the Ganges River during sunrise. Witness the ghats, temples, and devotees taking ritual baths. Hire a boat from Dashashwamedh Ghat or Assi Ghat.
2. Explore the Old City: Take a walking tour through the narrow lanes of Varanasi’s Old City. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most revered Shiva temples, and nearby attractions like Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Annapurna Devi Temple.
3. Visit the Banaras Hindu University (BHU): Explore the sprawling campus of BHU, known for its beautiful architecture, and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, which houses a vast collection of Indian art and artifacts.

Day 3:

1. Sarnath Excursion: Take a half-day trip to Sarnath, located just 10 km from Varanasi. Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, Sarnath Museum, and other Buddhist monuments in the area.
2. Shopping and Cultural Experience: Spend the evening exploring the local markets of Varanasi, such as the Vishwanath Gali and Thatheri Bazar, where you can shop for silk sarees, handicrafts, and other traditional items. Enjoy the local street food and sweets.

Day 4:

1. Morning Ghat Rituals: Start your day by observing the morning rituals at one of the ghats. Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat are famous for cremation ceremonies. However, it’s important to be respectful and sensitive while observing these practices.
2. Varanasi Temples: Visit other significant temples like Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, and New Vishwanath Temple.
3. Enjoy a traditional Ayurvedic massage or spa session to relax and rejuvenate.

Day 5:

1. Sunrise Boat Ride: If you enjoyed the boat ride on the Ganges, consider another one at sunrise to experience the city’s magical ambiance once more.
2. Free time: Spend the day at your relaxation, exploring areas you haven’t visited or revisiting your favorite spots. You can also take part in a yoga or meditation session or attend a music or dance performance in the evening.

*Remember, Varanasi is a city of spiritual energy, so it’s important to be respectful of local customs and traditions. It’s advisable to check the weather conditions and plan your visit accordingly. Enjoy your trip to Varanasi!