Places to Visit in Varanasi: A Complete Travel Guide

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, this temple draws long queues but rewards visitors with a genuinely powerful atmosphere. Five aartis are held daily, with the Mangala Aarti at 3 am, Bhog Aarti around midday, and further ceremonies through the evening. Leather items, bags and electronics are not permitted inside.

2. Dashashwamedh Ghat. The most iconic ghat in the city, where the evening Ganga Aarti begins at 6.30 pm with priests performing synchronised rituals using large brass lamps. A boat ride offers one of the best vantage points for the ceremony, and arriving at least half an hour early helps secure a good spot.

3. Assi Ghat. A quieter alternative to the busier ghats, associated with the poet Tulsidas and often the starting point for the traditional circumambulation of the city. Morning aarti and yoga sessions begin at 5.30 am, and the ghat is also popular for boat rides and photography.

4. Manikarnika Ghat. The city’s principal cremation ground, where Hindus believe the rites performed grant liberation from the cycle of rebirth. It operates continuously and is best observed respectfully from a distance, without photographing the cremations themselves.

5. Banaras Hindu University. Founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and spread across 1,300 acres, this campus offers a calmer alternative to the ghats, home to the New Vishwanath Temple and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum.

6. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. Founded by the saint Goswami Tulsidas near Assi Ghat, this temple is known for its constant chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa and draws especially large crowds on Tuesdays and Hanuman Jayanti.

7. Ramnagar Fort. Built in 1750 by Raja Balwant Singh on the opposite bank of the Ganges, this red sandstone fort houses a museum of vintage cars, royal palanquins and old weaponry, and is particularly striking at sunset. Museum entry is Rs 50 for Indian visitors and Rs 200 for foreign visitors.

8. Durga Temple. Built in 1760 by Rani Bhawani of Bengal and dedicated to the goddess Durga, this red facaded temple beside a sacred pond is nicknamed the monkey temple for its resident macaques. It is open from 4 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 10.30 pm.

9. Tulsi Manas Temple. Located near Durga Temple, this white marble structure marks the spot where Tulsidas is believed to have written the Ramcharitmanas, its walls engraved with verses from the text and its grounds home to sculpted scenes from the Ramayana.

10. Alamgir Mosque. Built during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on Panchganga Ghat, this mosque blends Hindu and Islamic architectural styles and offers wide views over the river.

From the devotion at Kashi Vishwanath to the quiet of Assi Ghat’s sunrise, Varanasi offers an unusually layered experience for a single city. Two days is generally enough to cover the ghats, the major temples and a boat ride, though many travellers find themselves wanting to stay longer once they arrive.

1. What should I visit first in Varanasi? Start with the ghats, particularly Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, Panchganga and Assi.

2. Is two days enough for Varanasi? Yes, one day for the ghats and evening aarti, and a second for the temples and surrounding sights.

3. Can visitors touch the Jyotirlinga at Kashi Vishwanath? Yes, though only at specific times and under the temple’s rules, after the main darshan rituals are complete.

4. Is the Ganga Aarti held every day? Yes, the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat runs daily, though there is no equivalent morning ceremony at Assi Ghat.

5. What are the five must visit places in Varanasi? Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple.