Varanasi Travel Guide · 12 Must-Visit Places
Varanasi Tourist Places.
The complete guide.
From the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga to the nightly Ganga Aarti, from ancient Sarnath to the eighty-four ghats — here are the twelve places that define the world's oldest living city. Curated by our Lucknow operations team with insider timing, pricing, and tips that actual pilgrims told us mattered.
01
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Temple · Jyotirlinga
The most sacred of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Located in the heart of old Varanasi, the recently rebuilt Kashi Vishwanath Corridor now connects the temple directly to the Ganga ghats. Mangala Aarti at 3 AM is the most spiritual experience.
Insider Tip
Best time: 3 AM Mangala Aarti · Dress modestly · Leather items and phones not allowed · Sugam Darshan ₹300 avoids queues.
02
Dashashwamedh Ghat — Ganga Aarti
Ghat · Evening Ceremony
The grand Ganga Aarti performed daily at sunset is the signature experience of Varanasi. Seven priests in synchronised choreography offer fire, conches, and flowers to the river goddess. Thousands gather on boats and steps every evening.
Insider Tip
Arrive by 6 PM for good seating · Book a boat for river-side view (₹500–1,000 per boat) · Dashashwamedh is the main ghat; Assi Ghat also has beautiful aarti.
03
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Temple
Founded by saint Tulsidas, this Hanuman temple is one of the most visited in Varanasi. The name means "reliever of troubles." Tuesdays and Saturdays see enormous crowds of devotees offering laddoos and sindoor.
Insider Tip
Location: near Banaras Hindu University · Best day: Tuesday · Prasad (besan laddoo) is famous · Avoid Hanuman Jayanti crowds unless prepared.
04
Manikarnika Ghat
Ghat · Cremation
The holiest cremation ghat in Hinduism. According to scripture, Lord Shiva whispers the Taraka Mantra in the ear of those cremated here, granting moksha (liberation). Witness the unending cycle — fires burning day and night for millennia.
Insider Tip
Photography strictly prohibited · Respectful silence expected · Best observed from a boat at a distance · Not for the faint of heart.
05
Sarnath
Buddhist Site · 10 km from Varanasi
Where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, setting the Wheel of Dharma in motion. The Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar (origin of India's national emblem), Chaukhandi Stupa, and the excellent Archaeological Museum are all here.
Insider Tip
Half-day trip · 10 km from Varanasi · Allow 3 hours · Museum closes Fridays · Visit in winter morning for best weather.
06
Kaal Bhairav Temple
Temple
Kaal Bhairav is the fierce guardian deity of Varanasi — believed to be the kotwal (police chief) of Kashi. No visit to Kashi Vishwanath is considered complete without first paying respects to Kaal Bhairav.
Insider Tip
Visit before Kashi Vishwanath · Kaal Bhairav Jayanti is a major festival · Black thread (rakshak) tied at the temple · Photography not allowed.
07
Tulsi Manas Mandir
Temple · Museum
Marble temple at the spot where Saint Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas (Hindi Ramayana) in the 16th century. The walls are inscribed with verses from the epic. A moving puppet show depicts scenes from the Ramayana.
Insider Tip
Puppet show timings vary — confirm at entry · Evening visits most peaceful · Often clubbed with Sankat Mochan and Durga Temple.
08
Assi Ghat
Ghat
The southernmost of Varanasi's eighty-four ghats, where the Assi stream meets the Ganga. Popular with yoga enthusiasts and students from BHU. Early morning Subah-e-Banaras cultural performance happens here daily.
Insider Tip
Subah-e-Banaras: 5:30 AM daily · Less crowded than Dashashwamedh · Great for morning Ganga snan · Surrounding cafés serve bhang thandai.
09
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) & New Vishwanath Temple
University Campus
One of Asia's largest residential universities, founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya. The campus New Vishwanath Temple (unlike the old one) allows non-Hindus and photography. The sprawling green campus includes Bharat Kala Bhavan museum.
Insider Tip
Allow 2–3 hours · Bharat Kala Bhavan closed Sundays · Auto-rickshaw tour around campus · Open to visitors.
10
Ramnagar Fort
Fort · Museum
Across the Ganga from Varanasi, this 17th-century fort is the ancestral home of the Maharaja of Benares. The museum houses vintage American cars, palanquins, royal swords, and ivory work. The Durga Temple and Dakshinamukhi Hanuman shrine are within.
Insider Tip
Cross by boat (scenic) or road bridge · Entry ₹20–50 · Museum closes at 4:30 PM · Best visited during Dussehra for Ramlila.
11
Durga Kund Temple (Durga Mandir)
Temple
Also called the Monkey Temple for the many macaques around. Painted red-ochre, this 18th-century temple is one of the most important Shakti peeths in Varanasi. The attached Durga Kund (sacred pond) is believed to have healing waters.
Insider Tip
Navratri is the peak visit time · Monkeys can grab food · Visit with Tulsi Manas Mandir · Avoid feeding the monkeys.
12
Banarasi Food & Paan
Cuisine · Experience
No Varanasi trip is complete without tasting kachori-sabzi for breakfast, tamatar chaat at Kashi Chaat Bhandar, malaiyo (winter only), jalebi at Rasbari Gali, thandai at the ghats, and of course a Banarasi paan to finish every meal.
Insider Tip
Kachori Gali for breakfast · Baati Chokha at Aadalat · Malaiyo only Nov–Feb · Paan: sada, meetha, or magahi · Lassi at Blue Lassi Shop.
How Many Days?
Suggested itineraries
for every schedule.
1 Day
Express Kashi Darshan
Kashi Vishwanath early morning → Kaal Bhairav → Dashashwamedh Ghat → Ganga Aarti evening
2 Days
Classic Varanasi
Day 1: Kashi Vishwanath, Manikarnika, Dashashwamedh Aarti. Day 2: Sarnath half-day, Sankat Mochan, BHU, Assi Ghat.
3 Days
Deep Dive
Add Ramnagar Fort, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Durga Kund, boat ride, and local cuisine tour to the 2-day plan.
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