Varanasi: History, Best Time to Visit, Food, Shopping & Top Attractions

Thrilling Travel Guide for the Contemporary City of Varanasi: 

‘The City of Temples’ Varanasi is the spiritual Capital of Hinduism and, simultaneously, the oldest city in India, which is located in the middle Ganges Valley in the southeastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The city was formerly renowned as ‘Kashi,’ which is considered one of the best travel destinations for authentic and unforgettable experiences due to its decisive spiritual significance and numerous marvelous festivals auxiliary with the Hindu faith and other Indian cultures. Besides that, it is popular among the oldest cities in India for its cultural diversity, as the town is a fusion of Archaeology, traditions, natural features, religious places, sculptures, and religions. 

Historical Significance of Varanasi:

Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, is located on the sacred banks of the holy river Ganga. The English author Mark Twain describes Benares as older than history, older than tradition, and older than Legend. According to Hindu mythology, the city was founded by Shiva, one of the three major principal deities, Brahmas and Vishnu, though Varanasi is considered a significant Holy City in India. The adherents of Mahabharata, the Pandavas, visited the city in search of Lord Shiva to pay the penalties for their Sins of Homicide and the Brahamahatya, which they had committed during the Kurukshetra war. The city is recognized as one of the Seven Holy Cities, which gives Moksha like other cities, including Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi, Kanchipuram, Avanti, and Dwaraka; these are the seven cities which are well known as the givers of extrication. 

Best Time to Visit Varanasi:

The holy city attracts millions of pilgrims every year to experience the divine spirituality, authenticity, and unforgettable experience. The city's beauty is well described by this one popular pearl of wisdom about Varanasi: ‘The eternal flames of Banaras never go out, just like the memories it leaves behind.’ The picturesque aura and charm of the mesmerizing city have always been an inspiration and have been famous among authors, writers, poets, and photographers. If you are also thrilled to experience the auspicious vibes of the city for the first time but are wondering about the best time to visit the holy city, then take note of the following further information. 

• Winter Season: The months between October and March are considered the best time to visit Varanasi as the temperature is cool and pleasant, which is ideal for exploring the vibrant streets of the holy city. Significantly, Pilgrims can also enjoy several festivals, such as Dev Deepawli, Ganga Mahotsav, and Magh Mela.
• Summer Season: The summer Season starts in Varanasi from March to June, which means the weather is hugely hot with daytime as the temperature ranges between 40 to 45 degrees Celsius. However, the weather is not ideal for outdoor activities.
• Monsoon Season: To explore the entire holy city, one should avoid traveling to Varanasi during the Monsoon Season, which occurs from July to October. The weather experiences heavy rainfall, and the Ganges is filled with snowmelt. Thus, the holy river level rises to 12 meters 40 feet, and some of the Ghats become slippery.

Places to visit in Varanasi:

The auspicious divine City of Varanasi is the magnificent residence of the Hindu Lord Shiva. It is considered one of the holiest cities that attracts tourists, especially those seeking spiritual awareness and extrication. However, suppose you are visiting Varanasi for the first time but are unaware of where you should start exploring the city. In that case, you are in the right place, as the below further information contains the list of top-notch places you must add to your wishlist to visit in Varanasi.

1. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

The famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Varanasi is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a Hindu Pilgrimage site. It is also one of twelve Jyotirlinga shrines and a beacon of faith and Spirituality in Varanasi. Consequently, the temple’s gold-plated exterior diffuses a divine Aura; however, the journey to the temple is an unforgettable and peaceful experience.

2. Dasaswamedh Ghat:

Dasaswamedh Ghat is another popular tourist attraction in Varanasi. Though the Vibrant and lively Ghat has its own religious and historical significance, it is renowned for its glorious Ganga Aarti. The Ghat is illuminated every evening, and priests perform traditions that fascinate locals and pilgrims. To capture optimal views, it is highly recommended that visitors visit the Ghat early in the morning. 

3. Manikarnika Ghat:

According to Hindu mythology, Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest and holiest cremation Ghats. It is a sanctified ghat located on the banks of the Ganges River, mainly recognized for its eternal burning pyres. The Ghat has spiritual significance, and it is believed that cremating a body at the Manikarnika Ghat leads to Moksha, or salvation from the cycle of birth and death. 

4. Assi Ghat:

A trip to Varanasi is not considered complete unless you visit the ancient Ghat of Kashi; simultaneously, which is also called Assi Ghat, where the Assi rivers meet the Ganga. It is the starting point from where the pilgrimage starts exploring the Ghats. It is famous for its lively morning and evening traditions and the auspicious Ganga Aarti. Besides the international students, researchers perform yoga and meditation sessions and participate in evening cultural performances that represent the drapes of Varanasi's spiritual life.

5. Shivala Ghat:

Shivala Ghat is one of the most admired Ghats of Varanasi, located on the banks of the Ganga River. According to Hindu mythology, the Ghat is where Lord Shiva used to meditate. Despite that, it is also home to a 19th-century Mansion that Nepali Royalty once owned; thus, the old heritage property was constructed by the local Maharaj of Benaras as the Ghat emanates Old charm and serene river-front views.

How to reach Varanasi from Delhi?

Multiple transportation modes are available so that visitors can easily reach Varanasi from Delhi or another city. To learn more about the ultimate transport choice, consider the following data.

• By Air: The fastest way to visit Varanasi is via flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. The flight takes nearly 1 hour and 30 minutes to cover the travel distance, and it might cost approximately INR 5,000, depending on the traveler’s choice of services.
• By Train: Usually, Varanasi has several railway stations, such as Varanasi Junction, Kashi Railway Station, and Banaras Railway Station. You can quickly discover multiple train options from major cities, including Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Patna, Kanpur, and more.
• By Road: Some people love to take road trips, so for an unforgettable journey, you can consider reaching Varanasi by road, as the holy city is accessible via National Highways 19 and 31. However, these highways are well-connected and ideal whether you take a bus or car. 

Essential things to remember while visiting Varanasi:

To enjoy the wonderful traveling experience to Varanasi and ensure a hassle-free trip, you should keep a few essential things in mind, especially for first-time visitors, so that you can explore more of it. The following information will provide you with some useful tips.

• The best time to travel to Varanasi is during winter, between October and March, as the weather remains mild and ideal for outdoor activities. At the same time, the summer season is not the perfect time to enjoy the holy city vibes, as the temperatures can soar up to 50 degrees in the day.
• Varanasi architecture is spectacular and surprising because a few Ghats have massive Rajput-era havelis with big domes, whereas some have tall buildings from the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Varanasi is one of the oldest cities. It has been home to more than hundreds of cultures and has experienced several conquests, myths, religions, and philosophies.
• If you are planning to fly to Kashi in peak season, it is highly recommended that you make bookings for flights and accommodations in advance to prevent inconvenience. 

Famous food to try in Varanasi:

Varanasi is undoubtedly one of the auspicious and oldest cities of India. It is famous for its spiritual significance, vibrant culture, and delectable food choices that visitors and pilgrims can’t afford to miss. You can add some spices to your itinerary by adding the flavor of authentic Varanasi Cuisine.

• Kachori Sabzi: Crispy Kachori with stuffing served with sabzi of boiled potato, which makes it an appetizing breakfast.
• Baati Chokha: Batti Chokha, also known as litti chokha, is a popular street food in Banaras.
• China Dahi Vada: The best place to try this popular Chena Dahi Vada is Kashi Chat Bhandar, Deena Chat Bhandar, in Varanasi.
• Tamatar Chat: This tangy and unique tamatar Chaat is very popular in Banaras. It is prepared with boiled and mashed potatoes and tomatoes and served with green chilies, chopped onions, and coriander toppings. 

Things to shop for in Varanasi:

 Visitors and pilgrims consider various things when shopping in Varanasi, which is popular worldwide for its silk products, unique beads, and other items. The following information can provide recommendations.

•  People across the Globe come to the holy city to purchase the famous Banarasi Silk Saree.
• One can buy Gulabi Meenakarti artwork products, which cannot be found anywhere except Banaras.
• The city has various glass beads, so you can shop for your favorite ones at the local market.
• You can purchase the organic form of Jewellery, Rudraksha mala, which has religious sentiments for the Hindus. 
• Another popular thing you can shop in Varanasi is hand-knotted carpets, which depict the art and culture.