Varanasi Travel Guide: Ghats, Ganga Aarti, Itinerary, Hotels & Cost

Offering of fire in form of brass lamps stacked in the shape of a temple's shikhar, is the high point of this aarti. The site of these gigantic lamps rotating in sync is quite a spectacle. These lamps would be really heavy, so one needs to take a moment and appreciate that not only is this a matter of practice, it is also physically strenuous work.

Planning a trip to Varanasi? This detailed guide covers everything you need—best ghats, Ganga Aarti experience, where to stay, itinerary, and travel tips—to help you explore one of the world’s oldest living cities with clarity and confidence.

Varanasi is a city that has a deep love affair with tea, and you'll find tea shops and vendors in almost every corner of the city. The love for tea in Varanasi has been deeply ingrained in the culture and the social fabric of the city. Here are some reasons why tea is so popular in Varanasi and the special varieties of tea you can find there:

Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, Varanasi (also known as Kashi or Banaras) is a city where spirituality, chaos, rituals, and daily life blend seamlessly.

The flower market and flower vendors of Varanasi are an integral part of the city's cultural and religious fabric. Here are some interesting facts about the flower market and flower vendors in Varanasi: One of the oldest flower markets in India: The flower market in Varanasi is believed to be one of the oldest in India, with a history dating back several centuries.

📌 Quick Overview

  • Best time to visit: October to March
  • Ideal duration: 2–3 days
  • Budget range: ₹3,000 – ₹12,000 per day
  • Best for: Cultural travelers, spiritual seekers, photographers

Varanasi is also known for its vibrant and colorful carved doors that can be found throughout the city. Here are some interesting facts about these doors: History: The tradition of carving doors in Varanasi dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when wealthy merchants and landowners would commission skilled craftsmen to create ornate and decorative doors for their homes.

🌅 Why Visit Varanasi?

Varanasi is not just a destination—it’s an experience.

There are many ghats in Varanasi, each with its own unique name and significance. Here are some of the most well-known ghats of Varanasi: Assi Ghat ,Dasaswamedh Ghat ,Manikarnika Ghat ,Harishchandra Ghat ,Kedar Ghat ,Scindia Ghat ,Tulsi Ghat, Chet Singh Ghat, Chaushat Ghat, Raj Ghat, Shivala Ghat, Manmandir Ghat, Bachraj Ghat, Adi Keshava Ghat, Panchganga Ghat... Each ghat in Varanasi has its own unique history and significance, and many are named after religious figures, historical events, or local landmarks. The ghats of Varanasi are an important part of the city's cultural and religious heritage, and hold great significance for the local people.

Here you’ll witness:

  • Ancient rituals along the ghats
  • Continuous spiritual activity
  • Narrow lanes filled with history
  • One of the most powerful cultural atmospheres in India

Boating is a popular activity around the ghats of Varanasi, offering a unique perspective on the city's cultural and religious heritage. There are several options for boating around the ghats, ranging from small rowboats to larger motorized boats. Here are some of the most popular boating options around Varanasi's ghats:

🏞️ Best Ghats to Explore in Varanasi

1. Dashashwamedh Ghat (Main Ghat)

The most vibrant ghat:

  • Dashashwamedh Ghat

The Ganges River, or the Ganga as it is known in India, is a sacred and important river for Hindus, and Varanasi is one of the most important cities along its banks. However, the river has been heavily polluted over the years due to various factors such as industrial waste, sewage, and garbage dumping.

Famous for:

  • Evening Ganga Aarti
  • Crowds and energy

Varanasi is a city known for its delicious lassi, and there are many famous lassi shops in the area that are popular among locals and tourists alike. Here are a few famous lassi shops in Varanasi: Blue Lassi Shop: This is a popular lassi shop located in the old city of Varanasi, near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is known for its authentic and delicious lassi made using traditional methods and ingredients. Bhagat Ji Lassi Wale: This is another popular lassi shop in Varanasi, known for its thick and creamy lassi. It is located in the heart of the city, and it is a favorite among locals and tourists. Kashi Chat Bhandar: This is a famous street-side lassi shop that is known for its unique and delicious flavors. It is located in the old city, near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Sita Ram Dewan Chand: This is another popular lassi shop in Varanasi, known for its traditional and authentic lassi. It is located near the Assi Ghat. The Lassi Shop: This is a modern lassi shop located in the heart of the city, known for its unique and delicious flavors. It is a great place to try different types of lassi, and it is also famous among the foreigners visiting Varanasi. It's worth mentioning that these are a few famous lassi shops out of many others in Varanasi. Some other popular shops include Singh Lassi Bhandar, Kala Lassi Wala, and Raju Lassi Wala. You can also find small street vendors selling lassi, they might not be as famous, but their lassi is also worth trying. You can ask locals for recommendations or simply follow your nose to find the best lassi in Varanasi.

2. Assi Ghat (Relaxed & Cultural)

  • Assi Ghat

Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and its streets are steeped in history, culture, and spirituality. Walking around Benaras streets is a popular activity to explore this place truly and appreciate it's diversity & vibrance.

Perfect for:

  • Sunrise views
  • Café culture
  • Morning yoga sessions

Varanasi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, and the streets of the city are considered holy. Many of the streets are named after deities, and there are hundreds of temples and shrines scattered throughout the city. The streets are also lined with ghats, or riverfront steps, where pilgrims come to bathe in the Ganges river and perform religious rituals.

3. Manikarnika Ghat (Sacred & Intense)

  • Manikarnika Ghat

Narrow and maze-like streets can be beautiful : The streets of Varanasi are narrow and maze-like, with many alleys and lanes that lead to ancient temples, ghats (riverfront steps), and bazaars. Walking through these winding streets is like stepping back in time. Vibrant bazaars of Varanasi have a lot to offer : Varanasi's bazaars are famous for their colorful textiles, silk saris, spices, and handicrafts. The bustling markets are a feast for the senses, with vendors hawking their wares, and shoppers haggling for the best prices. The streets of Varanasi are considered holy, and many are named after Hindu deities. The city is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who come to bathe in the Ganges river and perform rituals at the many temples and shrines. Varanasi is also known for its vibrant music and culture. The city has a long tradition of classical music, and hosts many music festivals and performances throughout the year. Its streets are also home to street performers, who entertain visitors with folk music and dance.

One of the oldest cremation ghats—deeply spiritual and powerful.

⚠️ Be respectful and avoid photography here.

Varanasi, also known as Banaras, has a rich tradition of textile weaving and is known for its exquisite silk fabrics, which are highly sought after across the world. Here are some interesting facts about textiles in Varanasi: Varanasi silk: Varanasi is known for its high-quality silk fabrics, which are woven using fine silk threads. The silk used in Varanasi textiles is produced from silk worms that are reared in and around the city. Banarasi saris: The Banarasi sari is one of the most popular and recognizable textiles from Varanasi. These saris are woven with intricate designs and motifs, often featuring gold and silver zari work. Handloom weaving: Textile weaving in Varanasi is predominantly done on handlooms, with weavers using traditional techniques and tools to create the fabrics. Zari work: Varanasi textiles are known for their intricate zari work, which involves weaving gold or silver threads into the fabric. Zari work is often used to embellish saris, bridal wear, and other high-end garments. Traditional designs: Varanasi textiles feature a range of traditional designs and motifs, including paisley, floral, and geometric patterns. These designs have been passed down from generation to generation and are an important part of the city's cultural heritage. Cluster development: The textile industry in Varanasi has been supported by the government through cluster development initiatives, which aim to improve the infrastructure and facilities available to weavers and textile artisans. Sustainable practices: Many textile weavers in Varanasi are adopting sustainable practices, including using natural dyes and organic fibers. These practices not only benefit the environment but also produce high-quality, eco-friendly fabrics.

4. Panchganga Ghat

  • Panchganga Ghat

Less crowded, historically significant.

There is also an offering of marigold flower petals and the sight of it is simply beautiful. I think the aarti is a fantastically choreographed event and substantial amount of attention has been paid to the aesthetics of it. The marigold petals floating down create a spectacle for sure.

🔥 Ganga Aarti Experience (Don’t Miss)

The evening Ganga Aarti at:

  • Dashashwamedh Ghat

is one of the most iconic experiences in India.

I observed one gentleman in particular who was on video call with his teenage son throughout the aarti and his son was watching it with him. It was unbelievable. For one, I have rarely seen this kind of a bonding between a father and his teenage son. And second, it is very rare that teenagers are interested in watching an aarti on a video call.

What to Expect:

  • Priests performing synchronized rituals
  • Lamps, chants, and devotional music
  • A highly immersive spiritual atmosphere

💡 Best Tip: Watch from a boat for a better experience.

🚣 Sunrise Boat Ride on Ganges

A sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River is unforgettable.

You’ll see:

  • Ghats coming alive
  • Morning rituals
  • Golden reflections on water

👉 This is one of the highest-converting experiences—add booking links here.

The Pandits who were performing the aarti were dressed in light pink kurta and sandalwood-colored angavastra and dhotis. They all looked quite amazing to be honest. There was no shoddiness, no frivolous smiles. All of them carried a look of concentration throughout the ceremony. On another ghat, we saw the pandits in gerua colored kurtas.

🏨 Where to Stay in Varanasi

👉 [Insert affiliate links here]

Budget (₹1,000–₹3,000)

  • Guesthouses near ghats
  • Backpacker hostels

Mid-Range (₹3,000–₹7,000)

  • Boutique hotels with river view
  • Comfortable stays near Assi Ghat

Varanasi is a country in itself given the kind of diverse people visit this place for various reasons. And not only people from different parts of India but from different countries in this world. Lot of them come for spiritual explorations and spend good amount of time understanding this town, it's people, culture, food and a lot more. One needs to visit Varanasi a dozen of time to get a real flavour of it. Through this blogpost, we intend to show some portraits we clicked in different parts of the town showcasing how this city operates and some of the common activities in Kashi town of India.

Luxury (₹8,000+)

  • Heritage properties
  • Premium hotels overlooking the Ganges

Above photograph is clicked around Mushi Ghat of Benaras. We were walking around the ghats early in the morning and we were sitting down around Munshi ghat which was close to our hotel. This gentleman came to the ghat, took off his shirt and did massage with oil. Now he was socking the sun and after some time he went into the Ganges rivers. After coming out of the water, he again sat at the same place and dried his body in sun.

💡 Tip: Stay near Assi Ghat for a calmer experience, or Dashashwamedh for central access.

We were in Varanasi in the month of November and mornings were little cold, especially around Ganges river. And one can see lot of gulls flying around the boats and specially the boats which offer feed to them. Some of the folks also spread corn on these octagonal structures around the ghats. These Octagonal structures are temples. Essentially these octagonal flat surfaces are roof-tops of temples around Ganges river. Above photograph shows one of the non-Indian devotees doing meditation on top of one of the temples around Ganges river in Varanasi, India.

🗺️ Perfect 3-Day Varanasi Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival + Evening Aarti

  • Check-in
  • Explore local lanes
  • Attend Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

During early mornings, significant people of Varanasi come to ghats for holy bath before starting their daily routine. This photograph is clicked around Ahilyabai ghat of Varanasi. Lot of locals were sitting and chatting around this ghat. It looked like a morning platform for connecting with fellow Benarasis. The gentleman in the photograph was the only quiet human among 50+ people on the ghat.

Day 2: Sunrise + Ghats Exploration

  • Sunrise boat ride
  • Visit Assi Ghat
  • Walk across multiple ghats
  • Explore temples and markets

Here is another morning scene around Ganges in Varanasi. I want you to also notice the water colour and let me say it loud that colour is not changed in post-processing and Varanasi as well as Ganges is getting cleaner with time.

Day 3: Culture & Nearby Exploration

  • Visit Manikarnika Ghat
  • Optional trip to Sarnath
  • Departure

While we were at Benaras, Uttar Pradesh, we planned to also visit Sarnath, which is 10-15 kilometers from Benaras depending upon from which part of Benaras you are starting. It is possible to travel to Sarnath on an auto or in a car. Because of crowded streets, the travel takes anywhere from half an hour to 45 minutes to cover this distance.

💰 Cost of Varanasi Trip (3 Days)

For 2 people:

  • Stay: ₹6,000 – ₹18,000
  • Food: ₹2,000 – ₹4,000
  • Local transport: ₹1,500 – ₹3,000
  • Activities (boat, guides): ₹1,000 – ₹3,000

👉 Total: ₹10,000 – ₹25,000

Planning a trip to Varanasi? This detailed guide covers everything you need—best ghats, Ganga Aarti experience, where to stay, itinerary, and travel tips—to help you explore one of the world’s oldest living cities with clarity and confidence.

🚗 How to Reach Varanasi

By Air

Nearest airport:

  • Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport

Having a strong and imposing fort to symbolize the financial and military strength of your kingdom was usually what most of the visionary Kings resorted to. So you see some really magnificent and overwhelming forts scattered all over the world, mostly from the middle ages.

By Train

Varanasi is well connected via rail:

  • Varanasi Junction
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and its streets are steeped in history and culture. The city has a rich tradition of classical music, dance, and handicrafts, which can be seen in its vibrant bazaars and street performances.

By Road

  • Good connectivity from major North Indian cities

While walking around the streets of Varanasi, I was most scared of clicking photographs of Aghoris. That's because, during my first attempt an Aghori got very angry. This photograph is clicked from a distance by pretending that I am clicking something else. If you don't know about Aghoris, I will highly recommend reading about them.

🌦️ Best Time to Visit Varanasi

  • Oct–Mar: Best weather
  • Apr–Jun: Very hot
  • Monsoon: Spiritual vibe + fewer crowds

The Aghori are a monastic order of ascetic Shaivite sadhus based in Uttar Pradesh, India. They are the only surviving sect derived from the kapalika tradition, a Tantric, non-Puranic form of Shaivism which originated in Medieval India between the 7th and 8th century CE. Similarly to their predecessors, Aghoris usually engage in post-mortem rituals, often dwell in charnel grounds, smear cremation ashes on their bodies and use bones from human corpses for crafting kapala (skull cups which Shiva and other Hindu deities are often iconically depicted holding or using) and jewellery. Their practices are sometimes considered contradictory to orthodox Hinduism. Many Aghori gurus command great reverence from rural populations and are widely referred to in medieval and modern works of Indian literature, as they are supposed to possess healing powers gained through their intensely eremitic rites and practices of renunciation and tapasya.

💡 Travel Tips for Varanasi

  • Start early for sunrise experiences
  • Expect crowds and narrow lanes
  • Wear comfortable footwear
  • Be mindful while visiting ghats
  • Avoid falling for aggressive guides

It's the most common sight in most of the Indian cities but Varanasi is even special. Folded hands are used for greeting each other and also to offer prayers. Above photograph shows a gentleman in orange dress and chandan on the forehead, offering morning prayers to Ganga ji. This photograph is clicked around Dashashwamedh Ghat of Varanasi.

📸 Photography Tips

  • Sunrise boat ride = best shots
  • Evening Aarti = dramatic lighting
  • Lanes of Varanasi = storytelling frames

Varanasi has lot of temples and you will find temples on the walls of houses in streets of Benaras. And during night time, some of the folks just walk through the streets of Varanasi to visit these temples and many are much smaller than the one you see in above photograph. None of the photographs in this post are staged and clicked spontaneously with an intention to not attract their attention.

📌 Final Thoughts

Varanasi is one of those rare places that stays with you long after you leave. It’s intense, beautiful, chaotic, and deeply spiritual—all at once.

Plan it well, and it can easily become one of the most transformative journeys you take.

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