Activities

VARANASI 

Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the name of Kashi and Benaras. Kashi, the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries, is known for its fine-quality silks, ‘paan’ and Benares Hindu University and Avimukta of the ancient days; Varanasi is the most popular pilgrimage point for the Hindus. One of the seven holiest cities, Varanasi city is also one the Shakti Peethas and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India. In Hinduism it is believed that those who die and cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and re-births

4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS EXPLORE VARANASI

DAY 01

ARRIVE VARANASI

Meeting by local representative on arrival and assistance at the airport, Transfer to hotel for check in.  

Overnight stay at hotel.

Note: Itinerary may defer depending on arrival time.

DAY 02

BREAKFAST

IN VARANASI

Very early morning proceed to Ganga River for ritual prayers which is a quite essential for Varanasi experience. The early morning lights are particularly very inspiring. The colours’ and clamor of pilgrims bathing and performing pooja unfolds before you. An hour long trip south from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat and back is popular but one must be prepared to see the burning corpse at Harishchandra.

Return back drive to hotel for the breakfast.

After breakfast visit the famous temples of Varanasi:

Vishwanath Temple – The Kashi Vishwanath temple is the center of faith for millions of Hindus. The Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the temple, considered as one of the holiest temples of India. In Hindu religion it is believed that a simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and Bhakti (devotion). A single darshan of Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga is considered to merit more than the darshan of other jyotirlingas, scattered in various parts of India. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living picture of the timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values.

Kal Bhairav Temple - Kal Bhairav Temple is one of the ancient temples of Lord Shiva that can be found in Varanasi. This temple has a strong link with the history and culture of the city. KalBhairav Temple is the fiercest form of Lord Shiva. The deity is portrayed as a man wearing garlands made with human skull. It is said that the death itself is afraid of this form of Lord Shiva. It is said that Kalbhairav decides who has to stay in Varanasi and who should not. People of Varanasi get permission from the deity before leaving the town for any reason. Anyone visiting Varanasi should visit the temple first and get permission to enter into Varanasi, according to folklore.

Vishalakshi Temple - The Vishalakshi Temple or Vishalakshi Gauri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vishalakshi, at Mir Ghat on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is generally regarded as a Shakti Pitha, the most sacred temples dedicated to the Hindu Divine Mother.

Shri Durga Temple - Durga Mandir, also known as Durga Kund Mandir and Durga Temple, is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to the Maa Durga. Durga Mandir was constructed in 18th century by Bengali Maharani.

Banaras Hindu University - Banaras Hindu University, formerly Central Hindu College, is a public central university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya. With over 30,000 students residing in campus, it claims the title of largest residential university in Asia.

In the evening take a boat ride on the Ganges River where you can light a lotus flower candle and set it adrift on the water before watching the nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat from the boat.

Back to hotel to relax. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 03

BREAKFAST 

VARANASI SIGHTSEEING 

Bharat Mata Temple – the only temple dedicated to Mother India. The temple was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The statute of Bharat Mata is built in marble and is a model of undivided India, depicting the mountains, plains and oceans. The most peculiar thing about the Bharat Mata Temple is that instead of the customary gods and goddesses, it houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble.

Sankat Mochan Temple – one of the sacred temples of Varanasi, It is dedicated to the Hindu God, Hanuman. The word “Sankat Mochan” means one who helps in removing sufferings. Tulsidas, the author of the famous Hindu epic Ramacharitamanasa, founded the Sankat Mochan Temple. According to Hindu mythology, one who visits the Sankat Mochan temple regularly, his wishes get fulfilled.

Sarnath Temple - It enjoys the extraordinary privilege of Lord Buddha delivering his first sermon after attaining enlightenment 2500 years ago. It is about 10 km from Varanasi and holds a number of Buddhist sites that include the famous Dhamekh Stupa, the seat of the holy 'Buddha'. You can also visit the ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa and Mulagandhakuti Temple, where Lord Buddha is said to have rested and meditated while in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar built by the emperor Ashoka is a must see in Sarnath.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 04

BREAKFAST

VARANASI - ONWARD DESTINATIONS

After breakfast free day for own leisure for personal activities such as shopping etc.

Depending on the departure schedule, check out from hotel and transfer to airport/railways station for departure for onward destination.