This place became so close to my heart in such a short span of time, as I moved here in 2017 with my family and soon after this place turned into my home. I always use to visit my grandparents during Diwali since my childhood, I loved it since then.

Rich History of Banaras:

Banaras is the spiritual heart of India. It is situated in Uttar Pradesh, that lies along the banks of the Ganges (Ganga River), is a prime example of the country’s true character. Banaras has been the epicentre of civilisation and learning for more than 2000 years. It is one of those locations where you can discover the ideal harmony between ancient and modern civilisation. Also known as Benares, Varanasi, or Kashi, Banaras is claimed to be one of the oldest livelihood cities in the world.

A famous American writer, Mark Twain once penned down that “Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” When he visited Banaras 100 years ago.

Banaras’s beauty lies in the crowds and lines, temples scattered around, old, traditional buildings, small roads, cows, and so much more.

The journey to Banaras is incomplete, if one doesn’t watch the priests’ doing incredibly beautiful Ganga aarti at the Ghats (steps leading down to the river).

Modern Varanasi:

Varanasi conjures up images of Ghats, Banarasi silk sarees, temples, and delectable cuisine. But it has changed considerably throughout the past five years of The Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi’s administration, nevertheless, as it is his home constituency. He officially opened India’s first multi-modal terminal on the Ganga River in Varanasi, along with ring roads, rail overbridges, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which enhanced the beauty of Varanasi’s Ghats.

Additionally, a Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (https://www.alameluhealth.org/where-we-work/hbch-varanasi.html)  has been established.

Best Season to Visit:

Given that the city is 80.71 metres above sea level, the environment there is exceptionally dry and humid. However, the city is at its finest all year round when it comes to cultural and religious activities.

According to me, one should visit here in winters. As it is the best season to visit Varanasi. It starts in October and ends in early March.

The weather fluctuates between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius, with pleasant mornings and chilly nights. As in April, the temperature easily reaches 35 degrees Celsius, making it uncomfortable (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Monsoon rain follows, which lasts from July through September.

In Varanasi, Dev Deepavali (or Dev Diwali) is the largest celebration of the year. This celebration takes place 15 days later, on Kartik Purnima, and should not be confused with Diwali (in October or November). On this day, the ghats are adorned with countless rows of lamps in honour of the believe that the gods visit our planet to take a bathe in the Ganga River. Their brilliance produces a stirring spectacle. At the same time, Varanasi hosts a five-day festival called Ganga Mahotsav. Live classical music and dancing are highlighted.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ckr5c0-BOpA/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY= this is the link for Dev Diwali, you should definitely watch

WHY VISIT BANARAS:

Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital and the home of Hinduism, as was already mentioned, is where it all began. For a reason, it is more than just a destination for Hindus and tourists.

The sacred River Ganges, where Ganga aarti is conducted every evening, and the city of Lord Shiva with so many other Varanasi’s temples are what make this city famous. This holy location is frequented all year long by numerous pilgrims, tourists, and photographers.

The city’s ghats are illuminated and decorated with earthen lamps when dusk sets. Every day, Ganga aarti is performed at many ghats but the best one happens at Dashaswamedh Ghat, which is close to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

You will never forget the breath-taking sight you experienced at the evening aarti ceremony, which involves presenting flowers, circling brass lights, and circling incense sticks.

WHAT TO EAT?

Few of the Delectable foods in Banaras that you can’t afford to miss

·     Banarasi Paan from Keshav Tambul Bhandar, Lanka Road

·     Kachori Sabzi and Aloo Kachori from The Ram Bhadar, Thatheri Bazar

·     Lassi from Blue Lassi Shop and one near Ramnagar Fort

·     Baati Chokha from Baati Chokha Restaurant, Teliyabag

·     Chena Dahi Vada and Dahi Chutney Golgappe from Kashi Chaat Bhandar, Godowlia Road

·     Choora Matar from Deena Chaat Bhandar, Luxa Road

·     Tamatar Chaat from street food stalls around Lahurabir Road

·     Malaiyyo and Launglata from Kachori wali Gali, Chowk

·     Rabari Jalebi from Sweet shops in Cowk and Godowlia

·     Thandai from Baba Thandai, Godowlia

·     Endless variety of sweets from Ksheer Sagar, Shri Rajbandu, Bengal Sweet House

And the list goes on…

HOW TO REACH?

Varanasi is impressively well-connected by transit to practically all the main cities in the nation using all three modes of transportation.

 

AIR:

Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, which serves Varanasi, is the city’s own airport. The airport, which was formerly known as Varanasi Airport, links the city with all the other significant cities in the nation. From the airport, a variety of international flights are also available. To get to the location from the airport, one can take a cab. For visitors from abroad, the airways are the best means of transportation to reach Varanasi.

RAIL:

Train travel to Varanasi is a popular choice. From Kolkata, it takes at least eight hours, from Delhi, it takes ten to twelve hours, and from Mumbai, it takes over thirty hours. Trains typically run during night. Varanasi Junction or Varanasi Cantt are the names of the city’s primary train station (the code is BSB). However, Manduadih (MUV) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya/Mughal Sarai Junction are two additional railway stations close to the city (MGS).

If all trains to Varanasi Junction are full, it is crucial to keep this in mind. The distance between Deen Dayal Upadhyaya/Mughal Sarai Junction and Manduadih, which is located inside the city, is roughly 20 kilometres. You might be able to find one with availability because Mughal Sarai is a large station that receives many trains.

ROAD:

Buses go both privately and publicly to Varanasi from the major cities in Uttar Pradesh as well as from the surrounding regions. You can travel by bus to Varanasi from a number of locations, including Allahabad, Patna, Ranchi, Lucknow, and Gorakhpur.

But bus travel to Varanasi is typically exceedingly slow and uncomfortable, so unless you’re on a very tight budget, you should try to avoid it. One can also drive independently to Varanasi thanks to the national highways and well-paved roads.

 

THINGS TO DO IN BANARAS FOR THE FIRST TIME:

You must go along Varanasi’s streets in wide strokes until the narrow pathways get even smaller and come to a dead end. You come across a vanishing piece of history at every curve on the route.

Numerous temples, vibrant murals, a simple way of life, an ageing haveli that perfectly embodies the phrase “Crumbling Heritage,” and heaps of cow manure. All of these accurately describe Varanasi!

·     Boat rides on Ganges

·     Explore the ghats of Varanasi

·     Manikarnika Ghat: the Dance of Death

·     Assi Ghat

·     Dasaswamedh Ghat

·     Observe a Ganga Aarti Performance

TEMPLES OF BANARAS:

·     Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

·     Durga Mandir

·     Tulsi Manas Mandir

·     Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

·     Scindia Temple

·     Kaal Bhairav Temple

Experience Subah-e-Banaras:

In Varanasi, the sandbank and the river are illuminated in golden colours as the sun rises brightly in the distance. Varanasi awakens in the early hours of the day and begins its routine commotion. There are the customary clatters of the tea stalls. Another round of the morning Ganga Aarti ceremony, is held at Assi Ghat.

 

UNESCO has designated Varanasi as the “City of Music.” to see why, simply take a stroll down the ghats in the morning.

PLACES NEARBY BANARAS:

It is worthwhile to set aside a day to go the about 30-minute side trip to Sarnath. The Buddha delivered his first discourse at this location. It’s a tranquil spot where you may stroll among green meadows and Buddhist stupa ruins in contrast to the chaos of Varanasi.

Where to Stay?

Varanasi has a tonne of hotels and guesthouses because it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. But the best place to stay is one that has a view of the Ganges River so you can observe everything that happens along the ghats. Be advised, though, that most of these lodgings can only be reached on foot. If you have a tonne of luggage, be sure to take this into account.

Varanasi is a difficult place to visit for first-time visitors. There are numerous frauds to be aware of. It is still extremely polluted, despite recent government efforts to clean it up.

Most visitors consider it to be a challenging, unsettling, yet fascinating city. Your senses will be overwhelmed here, and not necessarily in a good way. Due of pollution, swimming in the Ganges River is not recommended. Avoid getting wet if you ride in a boat.

Be discrete and mindful of those who are engaging in rituals when shooting images. Avoid taking pictures of the cremation ghats in particular.