Formerly known as Benaras, the ancient city of Varanasi caught the attention of American novelist Mark Twain, who wrote: “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”

Ranking as one of the holiest cities in India, Varanasi provides visitors with a feast for the senses. It is located in Uttar Pradesh and is characterised by narrow alleyways that ooze with vibrancy and life. Ancient temples and the holy Ganges, where thousands of spiritual men and women congregate for bathing and cremations, ensure that this spiritual mecca for Hindus doubles as a fascinating cultural hotspot for tourists.

Nestled on the west bank of the Ganges, the riverbank is divided into ghats that are connected with the old city by a series of alleys. These walkways are shared by visitors, locals, holy men and even herds of water buffalo, and are often the route for funeral processions on their way to the Ganges.

The old city is teeming with inexpensive hotels and allows guests to enjoy an authentic Indian experience. However, many visitors choose to stay in the more sedate Cantonment area to the north of the Varanasi Junction Railway Station, where broad, tree-lined avenues - far removed from the crowds and traffic – house more upmarket lodgings.

While this area is less frenetic, its distance from the river is considered a drawback by many. Mid-range accommodations with less luxurious facilities are available in the old city and staying here is a better alternative for those who want to be in the thick of the action. More reputable places are situated by the river.

Visitors to this Indian cultural hub can loose themselves in the back streets and familiarise themselves with Varanasi’s world-famous silk trade and educational institutes as well as the city’s religious centres. Varanasi is also an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and worshippers of other religions, attracting more than a million pilgrims every year.

The tourist infrastructure is well developed but for the most part basic. Visitors will nevertheless find a good selection of accommodation, eateries catering to western tastes and easy to use transport options.
With dozens of fascinating temples to visit and over 100 ghats to explore, there are many ways to observe and learn about religious life in Varanasi. One of the best ways to view many of the temples and life along the banks of the Ganges is to take a boat cruise along the river, a must-do for all visitors.

An adventurous destination for first-timers to India, visitors typically come away from Varanasi amazed at its energy and religious activity. The sometimes surreal sight of holy men working their way through the old city’s alleys will leave you with some magical memories of this one-of-a-kind travel destination.

Featuring as an important religious centre and hub of learning throughout history, Varanasi has a long and fascinating past. Said to be the one-time home of the God Shiva, the city is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, evidenced by the hundreds of temples and the mention of the city in the ancient Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.

For centuries, Hindus have travelled from far and wide to bathe in the Ganges, an act that is thought to cleanse the bather of their sins. Hindus also believe that dying in the city stops the cycle of rebirth. Many pilgrims collect a vessel of Ganges water to take back home; drinking this in your dying moments is thought to ensure your soul goes to heaven.

It is however not just Hindus that feel a strong connection with the city. The Buddha came to preach at Sarnath, just 10kms away, in 500 BC and designated Varanasi as a pilgrim site. Today, Buddhist pilgrims come to the ancient city to see the site of the Buddha’s first sermon. Jains and Muslims have also helped to shape the religious character of Varanasi and both religions also have sites of religious importance here.

The diverse religious combination in Varanasi has unfortunately been a source of conflict in the past and has on occasions led to the destruction of some of Varanasi’s most ancient temples, with most of the religious structures that are visible today dating from the 17th century onwards. Aurangzeb, the last Mughal ruler, is particularly remembered for his religious intolerance and defilement of many of Varanasi’s Hindu temples in the 17^th century.

Also known for its silk making industry, Varanasi, ‘the cultural capital of the world’, is at the forefront of silk sari production and you will find many quality tailors throughout the city. A centre of learning too, the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University in 1915 has attracted thousands of young scholars to the city and the university is now classified as the largest residential university in Asia.

The high season in Varanasi, from October through March, is when the weather is at its best and some of the most fascinating cultural events take place. Temperatures during this season typically hover around 20°C in the day and 7°C at night, making winter the ideal time to visit.

Situated at the Tropic of Cancer, visiting Varanasi in the summer season can be uncomfortable as temperatures soar to 45°C. If you can stand the heat, the summer is still a suitable time to visit Varanasi, but many visitors find air-conditioning a necessity at this time of year.

Monsoon season arrives in late June or early July and normally lasts for 2 months. The rainy season sees cooler temperatures yet high humidity and an increase in the risk of water borne diseases. While it does not rain all day, the rains can be heavy at times making sightseeing and transportation difficult.