Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ganga Aarti Must visit
The grand evening aarti with lamps, conch shells and chanting. Watch from the steps or a boat.
Varanasi
The ghats, the Ganga Aarti and Kashi Vishwanath, with Sarnath next door.
Reviewed by Ghumo Bihar team
- Best time
- October to March
- Days needed
- 2–3 days
- From Patna
- 250 km · 5–6 hrs; trains 4–6 hrs
- Good for
- Pilgrims, families, culture lovers
About Varanasi
Why visit Varanasi
Varanasi, also called Kashi and Banaras, is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest city for Hindus. More than 80 ghats line the Ganga, where life and death meet: morning prayers and bathing, cremation fires at Manikarnika, and the grand Ganga Aarti every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Have darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, now reached through the wide new corridor from the river, take a sunrise boat ride past the ghats, and get lost in the lanes for kachori, lassi and Banarasi paan. Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is just 10 km away. Varanasi is close to Bihar, a short train ride from Patna.
Places to visit
Top places to visit in Varanasi
10 places, best first. Timings and fees change often, so check before you go.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Must visit
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva, now reached through the wide Kashi Vishwanath Corridor from the river.
Sunrise boat ride on the Ganga Must visit
Glide past the ghats at dawn as the city wakes up to prayers and bathing.
Sarnath Must visit
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon: the Dhamek Stupa, temples and the museum with Ashoka's Lion Capital.
Assi Ghat
The southern ghat, known for the morning Subah-e-Banaras programme and a calmer mood.
Manikarnika Ghat
The main cremation ghat, where fires burn day and night. Visit respectfully, without photos.
Kaal Bhairav Temple
The temple of Kashi's guardian deity. Tradition says you visit here before Vishwanath.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
A much-loved Hanuman temple founded by Tulsidas.
Banaras Hindu University and Bharat Kala Bhavan
A green campus with the New Vishwanath Temple and a fine art museum.
Ramnagar Fort
The 18th-century fort of the Maharaja of Banaras across the river, with a museum of old cars and arms.
Nearby, add to the same trip: Sarnath (10 km), Ramnagar Fort (across the river), Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam, about 120 km) and Vindhyachal (about 70 km).
Travel with Ghumo Bihar
Trips to Varanasi
No group date announced yet. Tell us when you'd like to go and we'll let you know first, or plan a private trip below.
Private trip
Your dates, your group, your pace
- A plan made for you: families, friends, schools and companies
- Car, hotels, tickets and guide arranged
- Pay in parts by UPI, with a GST invoice
- Rated 4.9 on Google by 175+ travellers
When to go
Best time to visit Varanasi
October to March is best, with pleasant days for walking the ghats and clear evenings for the aarti. Dev Deepawali in November is the most magical night of the year.
Winter (best)
October–March
8–25°C, foggy mornings in December–January
Perfect for ghats and boat rides. Very busy around Dev Deepawali and New Year.
Summer
April–June
Very hot, up to 45°C
Early mornings and evenings only.
Monsoon
July–September
Humid; the Ganga rises
Some ghats flood and boat rides may stop. Sawan brings huge crowds to Kashi Vishwanath.
Festivals worth planning around
- Dev DeepawaliOn Kartik Purnima (November) the ghats are lit with lakhs of diyas. Book boats and hotels months ahead.
- MahashivratriThe biggest day at Kashi Vishwanath, with processions through the city.
- Shravan monthKanwariyas and devotees crowd the temple through July–August.
- Ganga MahotsavA music and culture festival on the ghats around Dev Deepawali.
Getting there
How to reach Varanasi
Varanasi is well connected to Patna by train and road. Trains take about 4–6 hours; by car it is about 250 km.
- PatnaTrain
About 4–6 hours
Many daily trains, including fast morning trains.
- PatnaCar
About 250 km, 5–6 hours
Via Ara, Buxar and Mughalsarai (DDU), or via the expressway.
- Anywhere in IndiaFlight
Varanasi airport
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport is about 25 km from the ghats.
On the ground
Getting around, stay and food
Getting around
The old city lanes near the ghats are too narrow for cars: walk, or take an e-rickshaw to the nearest point.
Boats connect the ghats along the river; agree the price first.
Hire a car for Sarnath and Ramnagar.
Where to stay
Stay near Dashashwamedh or Assi Ghat to walk to the aarti and sunrise boat rides.
- Heritage and river-view hotelsOn the ghats · Views and atmosphere
- Hotels near Godowlia and DashashwamedhOld city · Walking to the temple and aarti
- Modern hotelsCantonment and Sigra · Families wanting more space
- Dharamshalas and guest housesNear the ghats · Pilgrims on a budget
Food to try
- Kachori sabzi and jalebi: the classic Banarasi breakfast in the lanes.
- Banarasi lassi: thick, creamy lassi in a clay cup.
- Tamatar chaat: a tangy tomato chaat you only find in Varanasi.
- Malaiyo: a light, saffron milk foam sold on winter mornings only.
- Banarasi paan: end every meal the Banaras way.
Travel tips
- Reach Dashashwamedh Ghat by 6 PM for a good spot at the evening aarti, or watch it from a boat.
- Mobile phones, bags and pens are not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath; use the lockers.
- Book a sunrise boat ride; it is the best way to see the ghats.
- Be respectful at Manikarnika Ghat: no photos of cremations.
- Wear comfortable footwear for the lanes, and keep valuables safe in crowds.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Varanasi from Patna?
By train in 4–6 hours, or by road in about 5–6 hours (around 250 km).
How many days are enough for Varanasi?
Two days covers the ghats, the temple, the aarti and Sarnath. Three days is relaxed.
What time is the Ganga Aarti?
Every evening around sunset, about 6–7 PM depending on the season. Arrive early for a good spot.
Can I combine Varanasi and Ayodhya?
Yes. Ayodhya is about 200 km from Varanasi, and many trips cover Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya together.
Does Ghumo Bihar run trips to Varanasi?
Yes. We run group trips from Patna and plan private trips for families.
Nearby