Exploring Varanasi: Must-Visit Temples, Enchanting Ghats & Unique Experiences
Top 12 Must-Visit Temples in Varanasi
- Kashi Vishvanath Mandir: It is safe to claim that in the city where every residence houses a temple, every major sect has its own temple and every deity has found a place in diverse and beautiful structures in lanes and ghats ,Kashi Vishwanath Mandir is the most important of them all. The city belongs to Vishwanath.With newly developed corridor and Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust Helpdesk on Gyanvapi Road , darshan is becoming much easier. Advice to book darshan through the temple website in advance. A purohit accompanies people who buy tickets. Of course the faithful can do darshan without a ticket entering from lane no 4.
- Annapurna Mata Mandir: This one is just behind Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and is a beautiful temple with powerful deity.Annapoorna is another avatar of Devi Parvati. Find more here.
- Vishalakshi Mandir: This one is one of the shatipeeths in Varanasi. A form of Goddess Annapurna, this temple deity is worshiped mainly by pilgrims coming from southern states of India. Devouts offer sarees and take back sarees as prasad.
- Bindu Madhav Mandir: This temple stood where Alamgir temple stand now.The deity was moved to a nearby haveli before the old temple was razed. This is one of the five Madhav temples spread across India. Again a very powerful deity. This temple is near to Ramanand Ashram where Sant Kabir met and then learnt from his Guru Ramanand.
- Kal Bhairav Mandir: Dedicated to Varanasi’s guardian deity and Vishalakshi’s Bhiarava. Situated on the margins of the ancient settlement Kal Bhairav is a powerful god offering protection to the city.
- Sankat Mochan Mandir: This is Hanuman temple which is supposed to be swayambhu. It is said that Lord Hanuman gave guidance to Tulsidas and sent him to Chitrakoot to meet Lord Ram from here.
- Gorakshnath Mandir : This temple belongs to Nath sect and is a beautiful setting.Away from the narrow lanes of the city this temple must have been outside the ancient lanes where the sect followed its own traditions. Interesting stories to be heard here.
- BHU Kashi Vishwanath Mandir : A fairly recent one for the ancient city ,this one is at the core of Banaras Hindu University campus. Grand and modern in its design, this one is away from the everyday chaos of the city.
- Sankata Devi Mandir : Hidden in the lanes and away from regular visitors this one offers devout protection from sankat. Powerful in its manifestation this place should be visited in the evening.
- Lolark Well: Known for its power to grant boon to childless,this stepwell in the southern part is visited by the faithful from all walks of life to seek that boon of child. It is interesting the way it looks like shivling in the negative.
- Nepali Tola: Right near Kashi Vishwanath Ghat is Nepali tola where a beautiful red temple in wood and brick stands on a small hillock near the river. Built by Nepali King this place offers serene setting near the Ganga.
- Tulsi Das’s house : Located near Assi Ghat and at the Tulsi Ghat this is where great sage Tulsidas lived since the powers that be demanded that he live outside the city and this ghat is just outside. This is where he wrote the manuscript of Ramcharitmans.

Exploring the Sacred Ganges: 10 Must-Visit Ghats in Varanasi
Varanasi has more than 88 ghats on river Ganga. The ghats have inspired many painters to paint, many photographers to explore, many visitors to sit and watch and philosophers to meditate.Many of the ghats are built by kings of different states of india in distinct style belonging to that particular state. Though all ghats seamlessly connect to each other here is the list of ghats one must visit.
- Dashashamedh Ghat : This is where ganga aarti in the evening takes place. Busy in the morning with rituals and in the evening with Ganga aarti, this one wakes up early and goes to sleep late.life on ghats is to be best explored here. Easily approachable, this one is one of the biggest ghats.
- Manikarnika Ghat: This is one ghat where death is an everyday affair. It is said that the fire at this ghat has been burning since time immortal and pyre is burnt only with this fire. Manikarnika is also where Parvati lost her earring,hence the name. The bustling rituals of death can make anyone philosophical about life.
- PanchGanga Ghat : One of the first ghats on the northern side of the city ,this one is calm,quiet. This is best visited in the morning,when you ca watch locals do there morning rituals of bath, path and pooja .
- Assi Ghat: The Southernmost ghat, here is where Ganga aarti takes place in the morning followed by Subh-e-Banaras where classical music is performed by eminent musicians every morning.
- Mansingh Ghat : Built by Raja Mansingh of Jaipur this one also housed mansingh observatory
- Nepali Tola :Right near Kashi Vishwanath Ghat is Nepali tola where a beautiful red temple in wood and brick stands on a small hillock near the river. Built by Nepali King, this place offers a serene setting near the Ganga.
- Harishchandra Ghat : This one is to be visited for its strong association with the mythology and story of Raja Harishchandra
- Vishwanath Ghat/ Lalita Gauri Ghat/Tripura Bhairavi Ghat: These are beautiful connected ghats which are safe to take bath. Also because of the nearness to the main temple it makes for good place of a holy dip

Unforgettable Experiences: 11 Things to Do in Varanasi
Varanasi can immerse you in its lanes and ghats. Yet there are some activities which can make your exploration more meaningful. Here are some activities and visits you must plan.
- Evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh ghat: This one is beautifully choreographed aarti with conch shells and bells. A must attend activity,this could be watched from ghat or from bajra on the river. An activity to end your day with.
- Subah- e – Banaras : Ganga aarti in the morning at Assi ghat , this one is followed by a performance in classical music by eminent musicians from the city and across the country. And this is a daily activity. A true mirror for a place known for its many gharanas both in music and dance.It also seed the most amazing sunrise on the ghats.
- Boat Ride in the Morning: A boat ride on Ganga in the morning can truly be a joyous affair. The ghats are teeming with activities with both locals and visitors offering prayers,taking a dip or conducting other rituals. Yet the morning is the most quiet part of the day.
- Visit Kabir Chaura and Lanes around: Banaras is also known for its renowned musicians. A visit to Kabir Chaura where Sant Kabir stayed and lanes around it is best done early in the morning when the lanes come to life with riyaz from the masters.
- Museum at Mansingh Observatory : Visit the interactive museum to know the stories, importance and mythology of the place. It is a very good attempt at engaging visitors.
- Holy Dip in Ganga : A dip in the cool soothing waters of Ganga is always rejuvenating and can make you feel part of the atmosphere. Almost all the ghats are suited for taking a dip.
- Abhishek at Kashi Vishwanath Mandir : One can book abhishek from the website or from the helpdesk. Make sure that you are wearing proper clothes for this activity since this is very festive in nature.
- Visit lanes of Madanpura/Lallapura: This is where most weavers weave famous Banarasi on handloom. Visit these to see weavers in action, see hand embroidery getting done.You can also get to buy a discounted saree in these places,though I do recommend buying from an outlet where you can choose from a variety of sarees.
- Sarnath Visit : Plan a visit to Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon. The place is as ancient as it can get and has its own beautiful history attached. Built over many centuries this was a place of learning for monks.

Savor the Flavors of Varanasi: 6 Must-Try Foods
- Malaiyo : A dish made with milk , this one is a pure delicacy . Light and frothy ,it is simply delicious to eat.Available only during cool months.
- Blue Lassi : Blue Lassi shop offers flavored lassis and is the coolest place to sit and drink lassi. Situated in one of the lanes ,sitting here can be a joy in itself
- Kashi Chaat Bhandar : Explore the local cuisine with the most famous outlet. Check for Baati Chokha. Note that this place is closed in the afternoons.
- Lemon tea on Ghats : When exploring ghats make sure to drink one of the best lemon tea you will ever get.The ghats are divided amongst the sellers and most of them offer good quality.
- Banarasi Paan : Available at every nook and corner this paan is nothing you have tasted so far. Easy to munch and have every now and then.
- Puri Shaak Breakfast : locals swear by it and this the only local breakfast available in the lanes.Have if you have an appetite for heavy meal to start your day with.

Take Home a Piece of Varanasi: 4 Unique Souvenirs
- Banarasi Saree : The city of Varanasi is famous for the silk saris in the entire world. People from all corners of the world come to this city to shop for these silk saris. One of the most sought after products one can not miss buying these. You will find many varieties of Banarasi silk sarees in various ranges in the market near Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Wooden Toys : Banaras is home to wooden toys crafted fromwood and painted.A variety of toys from figurines to everyday toys are available.This indigenous craft is slowly coming under pressure and best way to suppose it is to buy the product.
- Watercolor Paintings: Many artists offer beautiful watercolors of lanes and ghats of Varanasi on the Ghats.Take home one for the memory.
- Itra ( Perfume) : Search the lanes to find genuine perfume and take home the memories of those lanes.