Varanasi

Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Benaras, is one of India’s most extraordinary cities—a place where spirituality and everyday life exist side by side. Situated on the banks of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, the city has been a centre of pilgrimage, learning, culture and civilization for thousands of years.

For many visitors, Varanasi begins at the river.

The city’s famous ghats stretch along the Ganga, creating a constantly changing theatre of life. At dawn, pilgrims arrive for prayers and ritual bathing while boats slowly move across the river. By evening, the ghats transform again as lamps, bells, chanting and fire become part of the Ganga Aarti. The official district tourism portal notes that Varanasi has 88 ghats, with Dashashwamedh Ghat being one of the principal access points for boat rides and evening rituals.

Varanasi Heritage

At the heart of the city’s spiritual landscape is the Shree Kashi Vishvanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and stands close to the western bank of the Ganga. For Hindu pilgrims, a visit to Kashi Vishwanath is one of the defining experiences of a journey to Varanasi.

But Varanasi isn’t only about temples.

Walk through its narrow lanes and you’ll encounter centuries-old houses, tiny shrines, flower sellers, tea stalls, silk merchants, musicians and street-food vendors. The city’s character is found as much in these everyday moments as it is in its monumental religious sites.

Varanasi is also deeply connected with music, literature, Sanskrit, yoga and traditional crafts. The district’s tourism material highlights the city’s association with musicians such as Ravi Shankar and Ustad Bismillah Khan, as well as its long tradition of Banarasi silk, textiles, metalwork, woodwork, toys and other crafts.

A visit to Sarnath, around 10 km from Varanasi, adds another dimension to the journey. It is traditionally regarded as the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. The archaeological landscape includes the Dhamek Stupa, ancient monastery remains and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum.

For travellers interested in architecture and royal history, Ramnagar Fort, located around 14 km from Varanasi, offers another excursion. The fort’s museum contains a collection associated with the former royal family, including vintage cars, royal palanquins, weapons and antique clocks.

And then there is the food.

From kachori-sabzi and tamatar chaat to Banarasi paan, lassi and traditional sweets, food is an essential part of experiencing the city. Add a cup of chai beside the ghats, a walk through the old lanes and an evening boat ride, and Varanasi becomes less of a sightseeing destination and more of an experience.

Wander-Wise perspective

Don’t rush Varanasi.

The best experience comes from leaving gaps in your itinerary.

Watch the city wake up on the Ganga.
Walk without a fixed destination.
Visit a temple.
Sit beside the river.
Take a boat at sunrise.
Listen to the music.
Eat something you’ve never tried.
Return to the ghats after sunset.

Varanasi isn’t a city you simply visit. It’s a city you experience.