Varanasi

Varanasi, where ancient vibes meets the modern clicks. One of the oldest cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrim spot for the Hindus. This was a trip I am making with my parents. Three days is all we had and that can be a bit short considering Varanasi has 80 ghats. Of course, we would have to selective. Here are a list of things to do and places to visit:

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

This is THE most iconic place to visit in Varanasi and needless to say this is most frequented place by pilgrims and devotees and even normal tourists. Due to this, of course it is going to be crowded. The best way to visit the temple and do the darshan would be to book a time-slot in advance through their website of app. The link is here and one can book a darshan in a chosen time-slot for ₹300. Once done, it is advisable to take a print-out of the booking.  This is the place devotion meets chaos. Cars are allowed only up to Girja chowk (Church crossing). We need to walk towards Godhulia chowk from there we can either walk, take an e-rickshaw or a cycle rickshaw. My parents being there with me, we opted for an e-rickshaw which took ₹150. It was worth it, just that sometimes it gets difficult to get hold of one. We would need to report at the office, show the printout of our booking and get it validated, after which we need to drop our valuables in the locker. Phones are not allowed so it is advisable to keep it in the lockers and photography is also prohibited inside the temple premises. A guide is allocated who would help you with the tour of the temple. A wheelchair facility can be availed as well for an extra ₹300 from one of the shops just at the entrance.

Following the above process, we had the most smooth darshan. We were done in around forty-five minutes and parents were happy with the whole process. The crowd is well managed and the exit is smooth. We bought prasad from within the premises and had to collect our complementary boxes from the office which came along with the ticket purchased.

Now it was time for a well earned lunch. Look no further than some amazing chaat at the Kashi Chaat Bhandar at Godhulia chowk. The ambience might not be great but the chaat certainly is.

Kaashi Chaat Bhandar

As mentioned, this is THE place to have your lunch. The ambience is not that great but you can get a place to sit inside and have a quick lunch. The Dahi Bhalla and Aloo Tikki were heavenly.

Cruise on the Ganges and viewing evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat 

This is an evening cruise we took along the great Ganges showing all the eighty odd ghats in Varanasi culminating at the Assi Ghat and on the way stopping by to watch the evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh ghat. This was a private tour where we had a boat all to ourselves. This was booked from our hotel travel desk. The boat started from Namo Ghat and after the cruise we were dropped back there. We started at 5:30 PM into the sunset and viewed several iconic ghats like the Manikarnika Ghat which is known for cremations. The highlight, of course was watching the Aarti. There are hordes of boats of different types and size queued up to watch the evening Aarti and its surely a sight to behold with a touch of divinity. Cruise ships also operate here but it needs to be booked in advance, the most popular one being the Alaknanda Cruise.

Namo Ghat

This is a proper modernized ghat. The best part is one can reach right up to the banks of this ghat by car. There are food and entertainment options available for kids and very well decorated. Ideal for peaceful walks.

Dashashwamedh Ghat

This is THE main ghat of the city. After watching the evening aarti from the river the day before, I set off for a visit in the morning at 8 AM. The crowd had not quite set in but enough to make the atmosphere lively enough. We had to get dropped off at Girja chowk and then walk towards Godhulia chowk and then a further km down the road will take us to the iconic ghat. The narrow road had everything, starting from tea and samosa stalls to vendors selling kurta, cows roaming about and various types of shops going about their business. The place was clean and so was the ghat. The devotion was see to be believed. There were people offering boat trips which i politely declined. Most people were dipping themselves in the holy river. Some hapless kids were getting their heads shaved off, so that it can be provided as an offering. Most often the barber having the tough job of controlling the crying kid and at the same time focusing on the job of shaving the head. There is an Udupi2Mumbai food court and many other more local food options.

Kal Bhairav Temple

Sarnath

From the epicenter of Hinduism, the focus shifts to Buddhism as we move to Sarnath, around 10 Kms from Varanasi. The place is most famous for Buddha giving his first sermon after achieving enlightenment.

There is plenty to see in Sarnath, some which we managed to do so and some we missed.

Wat Thai Sarnath Temple and the Buddha Statue

Sarnath Museum

Archelogical Buddhist Remains and Dhamekh Stupa