Pick up from your hotel for a guided city tour of Varanasi. Begin your exploration with a personalized introduction to one of India’s most ancient cities.

Visit the World Famous Benaras Hindu University. Founded in 1916, this prestigious institution is not only known for its academic excellence but also for its architectural beauty. The university’s campus includes the new Vishwanath Temple, a modern shrine built by the Birla family, which adds a contemporary spiritual touch to its historical surroundings.

Explore the Tulsi Manas Temple, renowned for its white marble walls inscribed with verses from Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas. This temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, reflects the rich cultural and religious heritage of Varanasi, offering a serene atmosphere for devotees and visitors.

Visit the Bharat Mata Temple, a unique shrine inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. It features a large, detailed relief map of India, showing the country’s major rivers, mountains, and pilgrimage sites. This modern temple symbolizes national unity and pride, offering insights into India’s diverse geography.

Discover Ramnagar Fort, the historic residence of the King of Kashi. This fort houses a museum with an impressive collection of royal artifacts, including antique guns, traditional cars, old armory, ornate hookahs, and bejeweled sedan chairs. The museum also showcases ivory work, gold and silver palkis, and a variety of traditional costumes, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Maharajas.

Take an excursion to Sarnath, one of the most significant Buddhist sites. Sarnath is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon in 528 BC, making it a place of great spiritual importance. The site features numerous temples built by different Buddhist cultures, including Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, Burmese, and Thai, reflecting the global influence of Buddhism.

See the Ashokan Pillar, a remarkable historical monument erected by King Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. This pillar, adorned with an ornate lion capital, stands as a symbol of Ashoka’s embrace of Buddhism and is a key artifact in understanding the early spread of Buddhist teachings.

Visit the evening Ghats and temples along the Ganges River. Experience the Holy Ganga Aarti ceremony, a grand and spiritual ritual held at the ghats. The ceremony involves the offering of lamps to the river amidst vibrant chants, music, and an atmosphere of devotion, providing a mesmerizing and spiritually uplifting experience.

Drop off to your hotel after the sightseeing, concluding your immersive tour of Varanasi.