Varanasi also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi is an Indian city on the banks of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism, Ravidassia religion and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is also known as the favourite city of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva as it has been mentioned in the Rigveda that this city in older times was known as Kashi or “Shiv ki Nagri”. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the Ganges. The city has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years, and has a history that is older than most of the major world religions. The Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music was developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians live or have lived in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, located near Varanasi.
DAY 1 :
Varanasi Temple & Ghats Tour
- Early in the morning , enjoy sunrise from Ganga Ghat and after that visit- Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
- After breakfast in the morning, you will leave for a full day temple and ghats tour of Varanasi. You will be visiting the Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple , Tulsi Manas Temple, New Vishwanath Temple, Asi Ghat, Dashashwamedha Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat and also Benaras Hindu University (BHU).
- In the evening visit- Dashshwamedh Ghat and attending the evening Ganga Aarti. Night halt at Varanasi.
DAY 2 :
Varanasi – Sarnath – Ram Nagar Fort
- After having breakfast in the morning, you will leave for a full day tour of the holy city of Sarnath and Ram Nagar Fort. Sarnath holds the distinction of being the venue of the first sermon by Lord Buddha. Here, you will visit various Buddhist stupas and Buddhist temples and the Sarnath temple.
- After that you will be visit Ram Nagar Fort. The Ramnagar Fort located near the Ganges River on its eastern bank, opposite to the Tulsi Ghat, was built in the 18th century by Kashi Naresh Raja Balwant Singh with creamy chunar sandstone. It is in a typically Mughal style of architecture with carved balconies, open courtyards, and scenic pavilions.