The best things to do in Varanasi include the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat (6:30 PM), a sunrise boat ride past the ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple darshan, Manikarnika Ghat, Sarnath (10 km away) and street food in Kachauri Gali. Two days covers the essentials; three days adds Ramnagar Fort and BHU. Experience My India includes all 25 experiences in this guide across our Varanasi packages from ₹2,999 per person. WhatsApp +91-7302265809.
A City Where Every Lane Has Something to Show You
Varanasi does not reveal itself in a single visit to a single famous spot. The evening Ganga Aarti gets all the photographs, but the city’s real character lives just as much in a quiet sunrise boat ride, a 5-minute conversation with a wrestler at a 6 AM akhara or the specific kachori stall in Kachauri Gali that locals have trusted for three generations.
This guide covers 25 specific things to do in Varanasi – organised by category, with exact timings, costs and the honest context that turns a checklist into an actual plan. Some of these are on every “top 10” list. Several – the akharas, the Aghori ashram, the Jantar Mantar observatory – are genuinely missed by most first-time visitors.
I am Gurudutt, born and raised in Braj Bhoomi and founder of Experience My India. Since 2018, our team has guided over 50,000 pilgrims through India’s holiest cities, including thousands through Varanasi specifically. By the end of this guide you will know exactly what to do, when, for how much and how to sequence it into a realistic 1, 2 or 3-day visit.
Top Spiritual & Cultural Experiences
1. Witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
The single most essential experience in Varanasi. Every evening at approximately 6:30 PM (winter) or 7:00 PM (summer), seven priests perform a synchronised fire ritual on the ghat – bells, conch shells and flower offerings to the Ganga. Arrive 45-60 minutes early for ghat seating or take a shared boat (₹300-₹500 per person) for a panoramic river view.
2. Take a Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges
A boat ride between 5:30 and 7:00 AM glides past Assi Ghat, Manikarnika and the central ghat circuit as the city wakes – morning prayers, ritual bathing and temple bells carrying across the water. Shared boats cost ₹100-₹200 per person; private boats ₹400-₹800 for up to 4 people.
3. Visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and among the holiest Shiva shrines in India. Open 3:00 AM-11:00 PM with four daily aarti sessions. Security is strict – no phones or bags inside. Best visited 5:00-7:00 AM on weekdays for the shortest queue.
4. Explore Manikarnika Ghat
Varanasi’s primary cremation ghat, where fires burn continuously, 24 hours a day. This is not a sightseeing stop in the conventional sense – it is a direct encounter with Hindu philosophy on death and moksha (liberation). Photography is strictly prohibited. Approach respectfully and avoid loud conversation.
5. Experience Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat
A daily morning programme (5:00-6:00 AM) at Assi Ghat featuring live Vedic chanting, classical music and a synchronised sunrise aarti – distinctly different in tone from the evening spectacle at Dashashwamedh, with a smaller, more contemplative crowd.
6. Wander the Labyrinthine Alleys (Galis) of Old Varanasi
The narrow lanes connecting Vishwanath Gali, Bangali Tola and the ghat approaches hide small shrines, generations-old artisan workshops and architecture found nowhere else in India. Allow at least an hour for an unplanned wander – this is one experience that genuinely rewards going without a fixed itinerary.
Book Your Sugam Darshan and Rudrabhishek at Kashi Vishwanath
History & Architecture
7. Day Trip to Sarnath
10-12 km from Varanasi (20-30 minutes by cab, ₹300-₹400 one way), Sarnath is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. The 128-foot Dhamek Stupa (500 CE) marks the exact spot. The adjacent Sarnath Museum houses the original Ashoka Lion Capital – India’s national emblem. Entry: ₹40 (Indian), ₹600 (foreign). Allow 2-3 hours.
8. Explore Ramnagar Fort
A 17th-century sandstone fort on the eastern bank of the Ganga, reachable by boat from Dashashwamedh Ghat (₹100-₹200) or by road via the Rajghat bridge. The museum displays vintage cars, royal palanquins, ivory work and 18th-century astronomical clocks. Open 10:00 AM-5:00 PM (closed Friday). Entry: ₹15 (Indian), ₹150 (foreign).
9. Visit Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir
A peaceful temple dedicated to Hanuman, founded by the poet-saint Tulsidas, set among large old trees near the Assi River close to BHU. Tuesday and Saturday evenings draw large devotional gatherings.
10. Discover Durga Mandir (Monkey Temple)
An 18th-century shrine painted entirely in red, dedicated to Durga Ma. The temple takes its informal name from the large population of resident rhesus monkeys. Keep bags closed and food out of sight.
11. Tour Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
A 1,300-acre campus founded in 1916, home to the New Vishwanath Temple (Birla Mandir) – at 77 metres, one of the tallest temple towers in India, completed in 1966. Significantly quieter than Kashi Vishwanath, with the same architectural grandeur.
12. See the Jantar Mantar Observatory
An 18th-century astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, located directly above Man Mandir Ghat. One of five Jantar Mantars in India (the others are in Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain and Mathura). A genuinely overlooked stop – most first-time visitors walk past the ghat below without realising the instruments are above them.
Culinary & Shopping Adventures
13. Street Food Crawl Through Kachauri Gali
Kachauri Gali, near the Kashi Vishwanath approach, is the centre of Varanasi’s street food culture. Try kachori sabzi (₹40-₹80), tamatar chaat and in winter, malaiyo – a seasonal milk-foam dessert available only November to February. Best in the morning (8:00-10:00 AM) when freshly made.
14. Sip Banarasi Chai and Malai Toast
Clay-pot (kulhad) chai is a Varanasi ritual in itself. The Blue Lassi shop near Manikarnika is well known, but smaller stalls near Assi Ghat serve equally good chai and malai toast for ₹30-₹80.
15. Shop for Banarasi Silk
Godaulia Crossing and Thatheri Bazaar are the main shopping areas for hand-woven Banarasi silk sarees, brocades and scarves. Prices range from ₹1,500 for simpler pieces to ₹25,000+ for elaborate zari work. Ask for the GI (Geographical Indication) certificate to confirm authenticity – the Government Silk Weaving Centre on Kabir Chaura Road is a reliable certified source.
16. Sample Banarasi Paan
A fitting end to any food trail – the sweet, refreshing betel leaf preparation Varanasi is internationally known for. Stalls near Godaulia Crossing serve the most traditional versions, ₹30-₹100 depending on ingredients.
🙏 Planning Your Varanasi Food and Shopping Trail? Experience My India’s evening itineraries include a guided street food walk through Kachauri Gali and Loi-style market lanes – knowing which stalls to trust matters as much as knowing which to visit. 2-Day Varanasi Tour from ₹2,999 per person · All inclusive WhatsApp +91-7302265809
Scenic Views & Niche Excursions
17. Visit Hanuman Ghat
The historic ghat where the poet Tulsidas is believed to have lived and written the Ramcharitmanas. Quieter than the central ghats, with a strong South Indian devotional presence.
18. Tulsi Ghat
Named after Tulsidas, this ghat offers a calm vantage point to watch pilgrims bathe and local holy men perform ancient rituals – one of the more contemplative ghats away from the Dashashwamedh crowds.
19. Witness Dev Deepawali (Seasonal – November)
If your visit falls on the 15th day after Diwali, Dev Deepawali transforms all 84 ghats into a single continuous line of light – over 1 lakh clay lamps lit simultaneously. This is Varanasi’s single most spectacular night. Book hotels 3 months ahead.
20. Bharat Kala Bhavan
Inside the BHU campus, this museum holds over 100,000 objects – miniature Mughal and Rajput paintings, Gupta-period sculptures and Varanasi’s own visual history. Open 10:30 AM-4:30 PM (Mon-Sat). Entry: ₹20 (Indian), ₹300 (foreign).
21. Baba Keenaram Ashram
A spiritual centre associated with the Aghori sect, offering a genuinely different perspective on Varanasi’s religious diversity. Visit respectfully and quietly – this is an active ashram, not a tourist site.
22. Witness a Traditional Akhara
Early morning (6:00-7:30 AM) akharas near the ghats host traditional mud-wrestling (kushti) practice – a centuries-old physical discipline still actively trained by local pehlwans. A genuinely rare sight for visitors who know to look for it; ask your guide which akhara is active on a given morning.
23. Visit Chet Singh Fort
An 18th-century fortification on Chet Singh Ghat that witnessed significant historical battles during the colonial period. Less visited than Ramnagar Fort, offering a quieter riverside history stop.
24. Explore Vindhyavasini Devi Temple
Located in Vindhyachal, approximately 70 km from Varanasi, this is one of India’s revered Shakti Peethas. A worthwhile half-day to full-day addition for pilgrims with extra time.
25. Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary
In the Chandauli region near Varanasi, this sanctuary offers waterfalls and wildlife spotting – a genuine nature break from the spiritual intensity of the city, for visitors with a free day.
Complete Timings & Cost Table – All 25 Experiences
| # | Activity | Best Time | Cost |
| 1 | Ganga Aarti, Dashashwamedh Ghat | 6:30-7:00 PM | Free (ghat) / ₹300-₹500 (boat) |
| 2 | Sunrise boat ride | 5:30-7:00 AM | ₹100-₹800 |
| 3 | Kashi Vishwanath Temple | 5:00-7:00 AM (least crowded) | Free |
| 4 | Manikarnika Ghat | Any time, respectfully | Free |
| 5 | Subah-e-Banaras, Assi Ghat | 5:00-6:00 AM | Free |
| 6 | Old Varanasi galis | Any time, 1 hr+ | Free |
| 7 | Sarnath | 10:00 AM-4:00 PM | ₹40 (Indian) / ₹600 (foreign) |
| 8 | Ramnagar Fort | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM (closed Fri) | ₹15 / ₹150 |
| 9 | Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir | Tue/Sat evenings | Free |
| 10 | Durga Mandir | Morning | Free |
| 11 | BHU + Birla Mandir | Daytime | Free |
| 12 | Jantar Mantar | Daytime | Small entry fee |
| 13 | Kachauri Gali food crawl | 8:00-10:00 AM | ₹40-₹150 per item |
| 14 | Banarasi chai + malai toast | Any time | ₹30-₹80 |
| 15 | Banarasi silk shopping | 10:00 AM-7:00 PM | ₹1,500-₹25,000+ |
| 16 | Banarasi paan | Evening | ₹30-₹100 |
| 17 | Hanuman Ghat | Morning/evening | Free |
| 18 | Tulsi Ghat | Morning | Free |
| 19 | Dev Deepawali (Nov only) | Evening, specific date | Free to view |
| 20 | Bharat Kala Bhavan | 10:30 AM-4:30 PM | ₹20 / ₹300 |
| 21 | Baba Keenaram Ashram | Daytime, respectfully | Free |
| 22 | Akhara wrestling practice | 6:00-7:30 AM | Free (ask permission) |
| 23 | Chet Singh Fort | Daytime | Free/minimal |
| 24 | Vindhyavasini Devi Temple | Half-day trip | Free entry; cab ₹1,500-₹2,500 |
| 25 | Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary | Full day | Entry fee + cab ₹2,000-₹3,000 |
Experience My India sequences the most relevant of these 25 experiences into every Varanasi package based on your trip length. Call +91-7302265809 to build your specific itinerary.
1-Day, 2-Day & 3-Day Varanasi Itinerary
1-Day Itinerary (If Time-Limited)
5:30 AM – Sunrise boat ride past the ghats → 7:00 AM – Kashi Vishwanath Temple → 9:00 AM – Kachauri Gali breakfast → 11:00 AM – Old Varanasi galis walk → 1:00 PM – Lunch + rest → 5:30 PM – Ramnagar Fort or BHU → 6:30 PM – Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti.
2-Day Itinerary (Recommended Minimum)
Day 1: Sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath, Manikarnika Ghat, Kachauri Gali food, Banarasi silk shopping, evening Ganga Aarti. Day 2: Sarnath half-day, Bharat Kala Bhavan or BHU, Hanuman Ghat / Tulsi Ghat, Banarasi paan, second evening aarti at a different position (boat vs ghat).
3-Day Itinerary (Complete Experience)
Day 1 & 2: As above. Day 3: Early akhara visit (6:00-7:30 AM), Ramnagar Fort, Jantar Mantar, Baba Keenaram Ashram or Chet Singh Fort, free afternoon for unplanned exploration.
Experience My India’s 2-Day and 3-Day Varanasi packages are built around exactly these sequences, adjusted for season and your specific interests. Call +91-7302265809 to book.
Festival Calendar 2026 – Varanasi
| Festival | Approx 2026 Date | What Happens | Book How Far Ahead |
| Maha Shivaratri | 26 Feb 2026 | All-night vigil at Kashi Vishwanath; city-wide celebration | 3-4 months |
| Holi | 4 Mar 2026 | Colour play across the city; Assi Ghat hosts a notable gathering | 2 months |
| Ganga Dussehra | Jun 2026 | Sacred Ganga dip at dawn | 2 weeks |
| Nag Panchami | Aug 2026 | Special Kashi Vishwanath darshan | 1 week |
| Dev Deepawali | Nov 2026 | 84 ghats lit with 1 lakh+ oil lamps | 3 months |
| Makar Sankranti | 14 Jan 2027 | Kite flying + dawn dip in the Ganga | 1 month |
Dev Deepawali and Maha Shivaratri require the earliest hotel booking. Experience My India runs dedicated festival-period tours with guaranteed ghat-proximity hotels. WhatsApp +91-7302265809 to check current availability.
Is 2 or 3 Days Enough for Varanasi?
2 days is the recommended minimum. This covers the essential spiritual experiences (Ganga Aarti, Kashi Vishwanath, boat ride, Manikarnika) plus one full day for Sarnath and the food/shopping circuit – without feeling rushed.
3 days unlocks the niche experiences. The akharas, Jantar Mantar, Ramnagar Fort, Bharat Kala Bhavan and the Aghori ashram all require a third day that most 2-day visitors skip entirely. If history, architecture or off-the-checklist experiences interest you, the third day is worth adding.
1 day is possible but compressed. You will get the Ganga Aarti and Kashi Vishwanath, but little else. This works only for visitors genuinely passing through en route elsewhere.
Experience My India offers 1, 2 and 3-day packages, each built around realistic time budgets rather than an impossible checklist. Call +91-7302265809 to choose the right duration for your interests.
Book Your Ayodhya Varanasi Tour Package
Ground Truth – What Nobody Tells You About Varanasi
After guiding 50,000+ pilgrims through Varanasi since 2018, here is what Experience My India knows that most travel blogs will not say:
Kashi Vishwanath’s queue is 45-180 minutes, not “short.” Weekday mornings before 7:00 AM see 30-45 minute queues. Mondays, Saturdays and festival days regularly cross 2-3 hours. If your itinerary depends on a quick darshan, Tuesday or Wednesday morning is the only reliable window.
The akharas are genuinely easy to miss without local knowledge. They are not signposted for tourists, operate only in the early morning (roughly 6:00-7:30 AM) and which specific akhara is active varies day to day. Without a guide who knows the current schedule, most visitors never see this at all – despite it being one of Varanasi’s most distinctive living traditions.
Malaiyo is a seasonal dessert, not a year-round item. This milk-foam sweet is available only in winter (roughly November to February). Visitors who arrive expecting it in summer will not find it – a detail most food guides omit.
Boat prices triple on festival nights and weekends. A standard private boat (1 hour, daytime) costs ₹400-₹600. The same boat on Dev Deepawali or Maha Shivaratri can be quoted at ₹2,000-₹5,000. Experience My India pre-books boats at fixed rates for every package – no negotiation on the ghat.
Photography at Manikarnika Ghat is not just discouraged – it is actively enforced as prohibited. Local family members managing cremations and the ghat’s religious functionaries take this seriously. Visitors who attempt photography here, even discreetly, risk a confrontation that disrupts both their visit and an active funeral rite.
Know Before You Go – Varanasi
- Dress modestly – shoulders and knees covered at all temples; scarves available outside for ₹20-₹50
- No phones inside Kashi Vishwanath – deposit at the cloak room outside
- No photography at Manikarnika Ghat or inside Banke Bihari-style strict temples – ask before any photo near priests or rituals
- Carry small denomination cash – ₹10, ₹20, ₹50 notes for boats, e-rickshaws and food stalls
- Book boats in advance for festival dates – Dev Deepawali and Maha Shivaratri see severe price surges on arrival
- Akhara visits require asking a local or guide which one is active that morning – they are not signposted
- Malaiyo is winter-only (Nov-Feb) – do not expect it in other seasons
- Auto-rickshaws cannot enter the last 300-500 metres to Kashi Vishwanath and most ghat-area temples – the final stretch is on foot
- Experience My India sequences all 25 experiences in this guide into realistic, season-adjusted itineraries. WhatsApp +91-7302265809.
Frequently Asked Questions – Things to Do in Varanasi
Yes, 2 days covers the essential experiences comfortably – the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, a Sarnath half-day and the Kachauri Gali food and shopping circuit. This is the minimum Experience My India recommends for a satisfying first visit. Three days adds niche experiences like the akharas and Ramnagar Fort. Call +91-7302265809 to book a 2-day Varanasi package from ₹2,999.
Yes, 3 days is enough to cover both the essential spiritual experiences and the niche historical sites – Ramnagar Fort, Jantar Mantar, Bharat Kala Bhavan, the early-morning akharas and the Baba Keenaram Ashram. This is the duration Experience My India recommends for visitors genuinely interested in history and architecture, not just the temple and ghat circuit. WhatsApp +91-7302265809 for a 3-day itinerary from ₹3,999.
The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is the single most famous experience in Banaras (Varanasi) – a daily synchronised fire ritual performed by seven priests, drawing both devotees and visitors every evening at approximately 6:30-7:00 PM. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, is the most famous religious site. Banarasi silk and Mathura-style sweets are the most famous local products. Experience My India includes the Ganga Aarti in every Varanasi package. Call +91-7302265809.
The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat begins at approximately 6:30 PM in winter (October-March) and 7:00 PM in summer (April-September), lasting around 45 minutes. Arrive 45-60 minutes early for ghat seating or book a boat (₹300-₹500 per person) for a panoramic river view of all seven priests simultaneously. Experience My India positions every tour group on the ghat 60 minutes before the aarti begins. WhatsApp +91-7302265809.
One day is workable only for the essential highlights – a sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath darshan, a brief walk through the old galis and the evening Ganga Aarti. It does not allow time for Sarnath, Ramnagar Fort or a relaxed food and shopping trail. For a more complete Varanasi experience, Experience My India recommends a minimum of 2 days. Our same-day tour from ₹1,999 covers the core essentials efficiently. Call +91-7302265809.
October to March offers the most comfortable temperatures (8°C-28°C) for full-day sightseeing across ghats and temples. November is particularly special for Dev Deepawali. Summer (April-June) requires limiting outdoor activity to before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM due to temperatures exceeding 40°C. Experience My India adjusts every itinerary seasonally. WhatsApp +91-7302265809 for current season advice.
Kachori sabzi, tamatar chaat and malaiyo (a winter-only milk-foam dessert, available November-February) from Kachauri Gali are essential. Banarasi chai in a clay kulhad, malai toast and Banarasi paan round out the food trail. The Blue Lassi shop near Manikarnika is a well-known stop for lassi. Experience My India’s guided food walks know the most trusted stalls. Call +91-7302265809 for recommendations.
Godaulia Crossing and Thatheri Bazaar are the primary shopping areas for hand-woven Banarasi silk sarees, brocades and scarves, ranging from ₹1,500 to ₹25,000+ depending on the weave complexity. The Government Silk Weaving Centre on Kabir Chaura Road offers GI-certified authentic pieces if verified quality matters. Experience My India can recommend trusted shops based on your budget. WhatsApp +91-7302265809.
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