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Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. It is a religious hub and sacred city for Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Where is Banaras located? Where is Varanasi located? These are the most common questions, especially among foreign tourists. It lies in the southeast of the Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is situated on the left bank of the holy river Ganga and around 692 km from the national capital, Delhi. The ancient names of the Varanasi are Kashi and Banaras. Last year, more than 5.3 crore or 53 million people, visited Varanasi. There are many things to do in Varanasi that will lead to a completely different world of spirituality that leaves an endless effect on both your soul and body.Â
Top 10 Things To Do In Varanasi
Kashi, or Varanasi, is not just a city but a completely different world of positivity and sacred places. From Historical temples to modern architecture, it offers a lot of things for everyone. Kashi is especially known for its silk weaving and unique designs of Banarasi sarees. The best time to visit Varanasi is from the end of September to the beginning of March. Below, we have compiled a list of things you may explore during our Varanasi visit.
1) Kashi Vishwanath Temple Visit
Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the 12 most sacred Jyotirlinga shrines. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located alongside the Ganges, a holy river. With an average of more than 40,000 pilgrims per day, it is one of India’s most popular Hindu temples and one of the best places in Varanasi for pilgrims to visit.Â
Here, Ekadashi is celebrated as a festival of colours. During this festival, you may feel sensations in your body with the sound of dozens of damroos. This tradition is more than 200 years old. The positivism around you could seem like a lovely scent filling your heart. At the temple, the Managal aarti at 3 am, the Bhog aarti at 11:15 am, and the Saptarishi aarti at 7 pm are the best things to see in Varanasi during your visit.
Temple Timing – 3 am to 11 pm
2) Explore The Ghats
What is special about Varanasi? The first answer that came to mind after hearing this question is the Ganges side ghats that make it special and famous throughout the whole world. Varanasi has a total of 84 ghats on the bank of the Ganges, and each ghat has its own significance and a long history. Most of them were built by the Marathas in the 18th century. All 82 ghats are related to sacred bathing and puja ceremonials, but the other two, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are used as cremation sites.
Dashashwamedh ghat is the most famous due to the evening Ganga aarti, which is performed daily in the evening. Assi Ghat, which is located at the Ganges and Assi River, is known for yoga sessions and morning aarti. Moreover, Tulsi Ghat is famous for cultural events and literary associations. Each ghat offers a different atmosphere and unique things that make your Varanasi journey a great one.
3) Experience The Past
Varanasi is more than a city. It is known for its history and ancient sites. You may have had lots of options to look at in the past. There are a number of significant sites that link the past and present. A tour of the Ramnagar Fort, built by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh in the 18th century, displays the 18th  costumes and weapons. A tour of the Bharat Kala Bhavan at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) provides a collection of historical Indian art, including paintings and sculptures.
Man Mandir, built in 1737 by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur State, represents historical scientific advances. Moreover, Chunar Fort, which was constructed in the 11th century, provides information about the Mughals, Marathas and British dynasties. Durga Mata Temple, Tulsi Temple, and Bharat Mata Temple are the historical temples that represent ancient architecture. Jantar Mantar. Gyanvapi Mosque and Sanakat Mochan Hanuman Temple are the other sites you may explore to dive deep into the past of Varanasi. These are all worth exploring places to visit in Varanasi in 3 days.
4) Explore The Buddhist Intercession
Varanasi is a sacred place for the Buddhist community. The Dhamek Stupa is situated in Sarnath. It is related to the five disciplines of the Buddha: Kaundinya, Assaji, Bhaddiya, Vappa, and Mahanama. A pillar built in the time of the Mauryan Empire’s King Ashoka makes it an important historical site. The Buddhist community from around the world visits this stupa and performs their rituals there.
In Sarnath, Varanasi, there is a huge structure called the stupa. This brick and stone block is shaped like a solid cylinder. The stupa is around 28 meters in diameter and 43.6 meters high. It’s appealing because of the scriptures about humans and birds. This stupa was constructed in 500 CE. Tourists who want to see history and peek at the past are welcome. It’s worthwhile to visit this location when on a Varanasi trip.
5) Sacred Bath In The Ganges
Ganges has a significant place in Hinduism. The people of the Hindu community worship Ganga as a goddess. It’s generally believed that bathing in the sacred Ganges River is the most effective method to atone for our sins. The pilgrims and visitors chant artists and mantras and aarti to get blessings from the Goddess Ganga. Ganga refers to the river of salvation and purification in Hindu sculptures and holy books.
People from all around India and from all parts of the world visit there to bathe in the Ganga and wash out their sins. They believe that the Ganga helps attain salvation along with the purification of the body and soul. It is commonly believed in Hinduism that taking a bath in the Ganges is liberation from the cycle of birth and death. All 84 ghats witnessed people from various parts of the world. Once there, every Hindu wants to take a dip in the holy river Ganges. For travellers, taking a holy dip in the Ganges River is one of the unique things to do in Varanasi.
Also Read:-Â Varanasi Tour 2 Nights and 3 Days
6) Witness The Magnificent Sunrise and Sunset
The attractive sunrise and sunset visuals from the ghats are some of the things to see in Varanasi. The ghats lie on the banks of the Ganga River and provide an unforgettable experience of both sunrise and sunset. Visitors may witness the mind-blowing experience in the morning hours during the sunrise. The experience of the sunset from the various ghats looks quite different from the normal sunrise. This experience of sunrise and sunset will remain in your heart for a lifetime.
You may add more pleasure to it by hiring a boat and witnessing the sunrise from the moving boat. You can capture this whole experience with your smartphone and cameras. The environment of the morning and evening feels peaceful, along with the charming visuals of sunrise and sunset. This entire experience mesmerizes your physical and inner bodies.Â
Timing for a better view– 5 am to 6 am (Morning)
5:30 pm to 6:30 p.m. (evening)
7) A Tour of The Magnificent Weaver Villages
The weaving villages of Varanasi are well known for their unique quality of design and manufacturing. There are a number of villages that are entirely dependent on weaving. Sarai Mohana, Lallapura, Cholapur, and Lohta villages are known for Banarasi silk sarees and other silk products. Since the Mugal era, this weaving process has had an influence on Persian art.Â
You may witness the skilled artisan demonstrate the various stages of silk weaving. This trip to the coastal area will reveal the truth about this industry. It will be a good chance for you to meet the Weaver families, their traditions and the challenges they face to prevent this ancient art. You can buy something from them to keep in mind for the rest of your life.
8) Boat ride
A boat ride is one of the best things to do in Varanasi. A ride on the boat provides an experience where all the gods can see clearly from the holy river. During the sunset, the aarti rituals can be seen from the boat, and the sunset will add more colour to the journey. You may request that your rower sing a folk song that makes it memorable.Â
The boat ride In Varanasi, taking a boat trip on the Ganges River, is a tranquil and enlightening experience. You may see the following activities during your boat ride: pilgrims carry out their rituals, devotees bathe in holy water, and the vivid hues of the old temples reflect in the river. Hearing the distant sounds of the temple bells creates a serene environment during the gentle lapping of the holy river Ganges. A boat ride feels like an adventure in Varanasi.
9) Witness Ganga Aarti
The main aim of the many pilgrims and visitors was to witness the Ganges aarti in the evening. During sunset, people started gathering on the various ghats to see this amazing tradition that has been carried out for thousands of years. Buying a thali of aarti made this experience more mesmerizing.Â
Ganga Aari is one of the things to see in Varanasi to make your trip unforgettable. The priest begins the aarti in proper dress and performs the movements of the aarti with large brass lamps that hold flaming wicks. Many of the sounds of bells, mantras and other traditional instruments make the entire environment positive and spiritual.
Timings of Aarti– Summer- 5 am to 7 am( Morning), 6 pm to 7 pm (evening)
Winter-5:30 am to 7:30 am ( Morning), 5 pm to 6 pm (Evening )
10) A Tour to The Holy Place Sarnath
Sarnath is the most important place in the Buddhist community, just 10 kilometres away from Varanasi. This is the place where the Lord Buddha delivered his enlightened discourse for the first time. So, if you are searching for enlightenment, then this place is worth visiting for you. There are a number of structures called stupas that were built by the followers of Buddhism.
According to the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the Buddha mentioned it as one of the four places of pilgrimage. The most important places to visit are the Dhamek Stupa, Ashokan Pillar, and Chaukhandi Stupa. The Mulagandha Kuty Vihara, a modern temple constructed in 1931, is the main attraction of Sarnath.
Conclusion
India’s spiritual capital, Varanasi, provides a unique experience that delves into the depths of rich cultural traditions and profound spirituality. The beginning of October through the end of February is the best time to visit Varanasi. You have a list of unique things to do in Varanasi from which you may choose. Varanasi offers a profoundly immersing and life-changing experience, whether it’s taking a holy dip in the Ganges, seeing the captivating Ganga Aarti, touring ancient temples and ghats, or admiring the exquisite artistry of the weaver villages. Because of certain historical events, it is also a holy site for Buddhism and Jainism.
