Varanasi (also known as Banaras or Kashi) is a living, breathing tapestry of faith and ancient history. Here the Ganges winds past endless stone ghats and temples, while life hums along to the rhythm of timeless chants and colorful ceremonies.

Getting to Varanasi is easier than you might think. Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) sits about 26 km outside the city, with plenty of flights connecting it to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and more. If you prefer the charm of Indian railways, Varanasi Junction (BSB) and nearby stations like Varanasi City and Pt. D.D. Upadhyaya Junction (Mughalsarai) are major hubs. More than 300 trains arrive daily, connecting the north, south, and east. If you’re up for a road trip, National Highways like NH2 bring buses and private Volvos from Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, and beyond.

Here’s a quick travel cheat-sheet:

• By Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (Babatpur) connects major cities. After landing, grab a taxi or cab for the 45–60 minute ride into town.
• By Train: Varanasi Junction (BSB) is the main station. Book tickets early, especially during festival seasons.
• By Road: It’s about 830 km from Delhi and 320 km from Lucknow by NH2/NH19. Expect a long, scenic (and sometimes bumpy) drive.

Best Time to Visit and Smart Travel Tips

The best time to visit Banaras is October to March. Winter mornings are mystical with mist over the Ganges, especially during festivals like Dev Deepawali when the ghats are lit up with thousands of diyas. Holi (March) is pure madness in the best way possible.

Avoid April to June (scorching summer) and July to September (heavy monsoons).

Pro Tips for Banaras:

• Dress conservatively. Cover shoulders and knees. Temples are strict about dress codes.
• Always remove shoes before entering temples and avoid wearing leather.
• Agree on auto, rickshaw, and boat fares before the ride.
• Never photograph cremation ceremonies at Manikarnika or Harishchandra Ghats. It’s deeply disrespectful.
• Carry cash – small change is super handy for chai, snacks, donations, and tips.
• Stay alert in crowded areas and narrow lanes at night.

Also Read Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities to Travel

Temples and Ghats – The Beating Heart of Banaras

Banaras isn’t just a city, it’s an endless pilgrimage. Life here revolves around its ghats and temples.

The most iconic is Dashashwamedh Ghat where the legendary Ganga Aarti happens every evening. Watching the synchronized, flowing movements of priests with their blazing lamps against the backdrop of chanting and bells is simply surreal.

Other must-visit ghats include:

• Manikarnika Ghat – the eternal cremation ground.
• Harishchandra Ghat – another ancient cremation site.
• Assi Ghat – chill vibes, popular among students and travelers.
• Panchganga Ghat – where five rivers are believed to meet.

In the temples category, Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the absolute centerpiece – a dazzling shrine to Shiva crowned with gold. Nearby, Maa Annapurna Temple, Durga Temple (the “Monkey Temple”), Sankat Mochan Temple (Hanuman), Tulsi Manas Temple (Rama), and Bharat Mata Temple (Mother India) each offer their own distinct charm.

Remember, every shrine has its own rules – and its own story.

Sunrise Boat Rides and the Spellbinding Ganga Aarti

If you do only one thing in Varanasi, make it a sunrise boat ride.

Head to Assi Ghat or Dashashwamedh Ghat before dawn. As your boat glides along the Ganges, you’ll witness the city waking up: priests offering prayers, locals bathing, ghats shrouded in morning mist. It’s pure magic.

Equally breathtaking is the Ganga Aarti. Every evening, priests in white and saffron perform a grand ritual with fire lamps, incense, and conch shells. Try to reach Dashashwamedh Ghat by 6:30 PM in winter or 7:00 PM in summer to grab a good spot.

Banaras on a Plate – What to Eat and Where

You haven’t really visited Banaras if you didn’t eat till your pants begged for mercy.

Must-try street foods:

• Kachori-Sabzi – crispy kachoris with spicy potato curry.
• Choora Matar – flattened rice with fresh green peas and spices.
• Tamatar Chaat – tangy tomato-based chaat that’s pure fire.
• Dahi Vada – soft lentil dumplings drowned in sweet curd.
• Malaiyo – only available in winter, this saffron-infused milk froth is cloud-like heaven.
• Samosa Chaat – Best Samosa Chaat in BHU Campus near KashiVishwanath Mandir

Famous food joints:

• Ram Bhandar (Thatheri Bazaar) – legendary kachoris.
• Deena Chaat Bhandar (Dashashwamedh area) – killer chaats.
• Blue Lassi Shop (Bengali Tola) – over 80 types of lassis.
• Pahalwan Lassi (near BHU) – authentic thick lassi.
• Chachi ki Kachori (Lanka) – epic breakfasts.

And don’t leave without trying a Banarasi Paan – a betel leaf mouth freshener packed with exotic flavors.

Final Thoughts – Why Banaras Stays With You Forever

Banaras isn’t a city you just “visit.” It’s a place you feel. It’s messy, colorful, chaotic, holy, maddening, and absolutely mesmerizing.

You don’t come here to tick off sights; you come to experience. To lose yourself in the labyrinthine lanes, to listen to the river’s whispers at sunrise, to smell the incense, hear the temple bells, taste life raw and unfiltered.

Banaras stays with you long after you leave. Maybe it’s the river. Maybe it’s the people. Maybe it’s something even deeper, older, and more eternal.

Whatever it is — you’ll want to come back.

Personally The Author Is a Big Fan Of Banaras

Author – Ayush