Varanasi is among the top in the list of most religious places in India. It is believed that Varanasi was established by Lord Shiva himself. This city remains flocked by devotees all-round the year. All the spiritual quests start from here and also end here. It is believed that dying here leads to salvation. For this reason, the city celebrates births and deaths alike. In addition to all this, the spiritual place keeps on luring followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Therefore, to witness all these and much more, one must plan a Varanasi pilgrimage tour.
Whether taking a dip in River Ganges or an excursion to innumerable religious places in Varanasi, everything is mesmerizing. This sacred town is home to various famous Ghats. Observing the rituals going on at the Manikarnika Ghat gives goosebumps. Lit up with pyres of the deceased, it is the place where cremation rituals take place. Besides this, Varanasi local sightseeing includes the Sarnath, Alamgir Mosque, and Assi Ghat.
Apart from all these, a unique spectacle that makes the town enjoy worldwide repute is Ganga Aarti Varanasi. The spectacular ceremony takes place every evening at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. Priests with huge fire lamps in their hands perform the ritual facing the river. Conducted to honor the Goddess Ganga, the Aarti spellbinds the onlookers. A Varanasi boat ride in Varanasi on the holy river at the time of sunset or sunrise adds to the charm of the ritual.
If you are planning a Varanasi pilgrimage tour then you must add ancient temples in Varanasi tour itinerary. Amongst the 23,000 temples of the city, the Varanasi temple which stands out from the rest is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The holy abode of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, the shrine is also known as the Golden Temple. Other popular shrines of the Banaras Tour are Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Kaal Bhairav Temple, and Tulsi Manas Temple, etc. One must visit these temples and bask in the ecstasy and spirituality of this place.
The holy city is adorned with several attractions and is heavenly beyond description. For this reason, Indians, as well as foreign tourists, love to visit the city with customized Varanasi holiday packages. Plan a Varanasi pilgrimage tour and observe the richness of age-old practices and religions.
How to reach Varanasi?
- By Air: Varanasi has a domestic airport and it is well connected with the major cities of the country as it is a famous tourist destination in India. The international airport is 23.1 km away from the city and it easily accessible by cab or taxi.
- By Train: Varanasi is well linked with the rest of the country by some of the best trains such as Rajdhani, Express. It houses two railway stations which are stopover points for many trains passing through Varanasi. The other nearest railway station from where one can commute to Varanasi and it is the Mughal Sarai junction which is at 10 km from Varanasi.
- By Road: Varanasi is easily accessible from all over the country. The Uttar Pradesh State Transport buses run between the major cities of Uttar Pradesh and many other luxury buses also run from other states as well. One can easily find buses from Delhi to Varanasi.