Must-see attractions in Varanasi

  • Boats on River Ganges

    Manikarnika Ghat

    Varanasi

    Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts known as doms, and…

  • 500px Photo ID: 130892773 - Photographed at Assi Ghat, Varanasi

    Assi Ghat

    Varanasi

    The furthest south of the main ghats and one of the biggest, Assi Ghat is particularly important as the River Assi meets the Ganges near here and pilgrims…

  • Dashashwamedh Ghat

    Varanasi

    Varanasi’s liveliest and most colourful ghat. The name indicates that Brahma sacrificed (medh) 10 (das) horses (aswa) here. In spite of the persistent…

  • Harishchandra Ghat

    Varanasi

    Harishchandra Ghat is a cremation ghat – smaller and secondary in importance to Manikarnika, but one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi.

  • The Golden Temple of Vishwanath, holiest temple in Varanasi (formerly Benares), entry forbidden to non-Hindus, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

    Vishwanath Temple

    Varanasi

    There are temples at almost every turn in Varanasi, but this is the most famous of the lot. It is dedicated to Vishveswara – Shiva as lord of the universe…

  • Vishwanath Temple

    Banares Hindu University

    Varanasi

    Long regarded as a centre of learning, Varanasi’s tradition of top-quality education continues today at Banares Hindu University, established in 1916. The…

  • Bharat Kala Bhavan

    Varanasi

    On the Banares Hindu University campus, this museum hosts a wonderful collection of miniature paintings, as well as 12th-century palm-leaf manuscripts,…

  • Munshi Ghat

    Varanasi

    Munshi Ghat – also known as Darbhanga Ghat – is one of the more photogenic ghats along the old town stretch of the Ganges in Varanasi.

  • Kedar Ghat

    Varanasi

    A colourful ghat with many steps and a small pool, where a fire aarti is held every evening at 6.30pm.

  • Ramnagar fort exterior.

    Ramnagar Fort & Museum

    Varanasi

    This crumbling 17th-century fort and palace, on the eastern bank of the Ganges, isn't a prime attraction, but the eccentric museum has some interesting…

  • Man Mandir Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

    Man Mandir Ghat

    Varanasi

    Just north of Dashashwamedh Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat was built in 1600 by Raja Man Singh and later housed an observatory. The northern corner of the ghat has…

  • Durga Temple

    Varanasi

    This temple, dedicated to the goddess Durga, was built in the 18th century by a Bengali maharani and is stained red with ochre. It's also known as the …

  • Tulsi Ghat

    Varanasi

    Named after a 16th-century Hindu poet, Tulsi Ghat has fallen down towards the river, but in the month of Kartika (October/November) a festival devoted to…

  • Tulsi Manas Temple

    Varanasi

    The walls of this modern, marble, sikhara-style temple are engraved with verses and scenes from the Ram Charit Manas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana.

  • Alamgir Mosque

    Varanasi

    Dominating Panchganga Ghat, this small mosque was built by Aurangzeb on the site of a large Vishnu temple.

  • Shivala Ghat

    Varanasi

    A small Shiva temple and a 19th-century mansion built by Nepali royalty sit back from Shivala Ghat, built by the local maharaja of Benares.

  • Scindhia Ghat

    Varanasi

    Scindhia Ghat was originally built in 1830, but was so huge and magnificent that it collapsed into the river and had to be rebuilt.

  • Hanuman Ghat

    Varanasi

    Popular with Rama devotees (Hanuman was Rama's stalwart ally in his quest to rescue Sita from the demon Ravana).

  • Ram Ghat

    Varanasi

    North from Scindhia Ghat, Ram Ghat was built by a maharaja of Jaipur.

  • Dattatreya Ghat

    Varanasi

    Dattatreya takes its name from a Brahmin saint, whose footprint is preserved in a small temple nearby.

  • Trilochan Ghat

    Varanasi

    At Trilochan, two turrets emerge from the river, and the water between them is especially holy.

  • New Vishwanath Temple

    Varanasi

    Famed for its impressive, 76m-high marble tower. On the campus of Banares Hindu University.

  • Panchganga Ghat

    Varanasi

    Just beyond Ram Ghat, this ghat marks where five holy rivers are supposed to meet.

  • Ahalya Bai's Ghat

    Varanasi

    This minor ghat was named after the female Maratha ruler of Indore.

  • Pandhey Ghat

    Varanasi

    Lots of laundry is spread to dry at this ghat along the Ganges.

  • Bachraj Ghat

    Varanasi

    This small ghat is marked by three Jain temples.

  • Gate 2

    Varanasi

    Foreigners should enter gate 2 (the Hindu exit) for access to Vishwanath Temple.

  • Gai Ghat

    Varanasi

    A painted stone Nandi statue and lingam mark this ghat north of the mosque.

  • Dandi Ghat

    Varanasi

    The Dandi Ghat is used by austere ascetics known as Dandi Panths.

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