Varanasi Tour Packages

About Varanasi Tourism: Also known as Banaras or Kashi, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is one of the world's oldest cities and one of India's seven holiest cities. It is situated alongside the Ganges and is known for its many temples, ghats, aartis and auspiciousness. Holidify's many Varanasi tour packages enable you to experience the best of this holy city, whether you are travelling alone or with someone.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the city's heart is believed to be one of India's most sacred temples. One of India's 12 Jyotirlingas, this temple has about 800kg of gold plating on its tower and was where the king used to worship during special festivals. Some other temples that you can go to for a darshan include the Tulsi Manas Temple, Durga Temple and Batuk Bhairav Mandir.

Given its location along the Ganges, there are over 80 ghats here; Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedha Ghat and Shivala Ghat are some of the popular ghats. When you travel to Varanasi, don't forget to attend the auspicious Ganga aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat that is lit up with oil lamps and diyas while priests chant the sermons. Moreover, the ghats are an excellent place to sit and enjoy the sunset.

Your trip to Varanasi doesn't just have to be about its temples. You can visit some of its historical establishments such as the Chunar Fort, Ramnagar Fort and Alamgir Mosque. The Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum is known for its sculptures and exhibits on pottery, paintings, jewellery etc. Don't forget to visit Vishwanath Gali, a famous street where you can find food items, idols of Gods, home decor etc.

The best time to plan your trip to Varanasi is from November to February, when it is cool and breezy. You can spend about 2 to 3 days here to see most of its attractions. There are hostels, hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and more that provide lodging. In addition, Varanasi travel packages often feature nearby destinations like Agra and Lucknow.

Many devotees and tourists also visit Sarnath alongside Varanasi. A city of great significance to Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains, Sarnath is where Gautam Buddha preached his first sermon. The Dhamek Stupa is one of Sarnath's most prominent stupas, said to be built on the exact spot where Gautam Buddha preached his first eightfold path sermon. The Chaukhandi Stupa, on the other hand, was established where he first met his disciples.

The Tibetan Temple is a shrine featuring several Tibetan Buddhist paintings, a statue of Buddha and Prayer Wheels. To know more about Sarnath, spend some time at the Archaeological Museum, where you find artefacts from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. Don't forget to see the Ashoka Pillar, which is the country's national emblem and a symbol of Emperor Ashoka's visit to Sarnath. With Holidify's customisable and affordable Varanasi travel packages, you can discover not only the holy city but also those around.