Varanasi Travel Guide
Varanasi sits on the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The ghats along the river are the centre of daily life — bathing, cremation rites, and the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony all happen within view of each other.
Why Visit Varanasi
Varanasi sits on the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The ghats along the river are the centre of daily life — bathing, cremation rites, and the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony all happen within view of each other.
Top Attractions & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
October to March.
How to Reach Varanasi
Direct flights from Delhi; also reachable by overnight train.
Recommended Duration
2 days is generally enough to experience the ghats at both sunrise and evening Aarti.
Practical Travel Information
- A sunrise boat ride is worth prioritizing over a late morning start — the light and atmosphere are markedly different.
- Cremation ghats are active, working sites — visitors should be respectful and photography is generally discouraged there.
- Modest dress is appropriate throughout the old city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Varanasi sits on the Ganges and is among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with daily life centred on the ghats along the river.
Varanasi sits on the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The ghats along the river are the centre of daily life — bathing, cremation rites, and the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony all happen within view of each other.
Two days allows for a dawn boat ride, the evening Ganga Aarti, and a half-day trip to Sarnath.
October to March.
Yes — among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, its riverside rituals are unlike anywhere else in India.
Direct flights from Delhi; also reachable by overnight train.
