Varanasi, on the western bank of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the world's oldest living cities and among Hinduism's most sacred pilgrimage destinations. Its riverfront ghats, the golden-spired Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and a nightly Ganga Aarti draw pilgrims, scholars and travellers from across the world.
The Story of Varanasi
Varanasi — also known as Kashi or Banaras — is widely considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with settlement evidence and textual references going back roughly 3,000 years. It is held sacred in Hinduism as one of the seven Sapta Puri cities and as a major seat of Shiva worship, and is also historically significant to Buddhism: the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon at nearby Sarnath.
Across the centuries Varanasi developed as a major centre of Sanskrit learning, classical music and philosophy, drawing scholars, poets and pilgrims from across the subcontinent. The city's riverfront ghats — over 80 of them lining the Ganga — took much of their present stone form during the Maratha and other regional dynasties' patronage in the 18th century, after periods of earlier destruction under various rulers.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines most sacred to Shiva devotees, has itself been rebuilt multiple times through history; its current structure dates to 1780, commissioned by the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar, with a modern Vishwanath Corridor connecting it directly to the Ganga ghats completed in 2021. Varanasi today remains one of India's most important pilgrimage cities and a global centre for classical Indian music and philosophy.
Top Places to Visit in Varanasi
Ganga Ghats, Ganga Aarti & Kashi Vishwanath Temple — here's what most visitors build their itinerary around.
Best Time to Visit Varanasi
How to Reach Varanasi
* Indicative one-way sedan fares — the exact fare (including driver allowance, taxes and estimated tolls) is always shown before you confirm your booking. Ertiga, Innova Crysta and Tempo Traveller options are available at checkout.
Good to Know Before You Go
Varanasi Travel — Frequently Asked Questions
Varanasi is roughly 800 km from Delhi by road (around 13–14 hours), though most travellers connect via Lucknow, about 320 km / 6–7 hours away, or fly directly.
Archaeological and textual evidence points to continuous settlement here for roughly 3,000 years, and it has been a major centre of Hindu pilgrimage, Sanskrit learning and classical music for most of that history.
October to March for the most comfortable ghat-walking and boating weather; the monsoon months (July–September) can raise Ganga water levels significantly.
Yes — it's only about 10 km away and marks the site of the Buddha's first sermon, with the Ashoka Pillar and Dhamek Stupa among its key monuments.
Yes — One-Way Bhaarat runs flat-fare one-way cabs to Varanasi from Lucknow and other nearby cities, with the complete fare shown upfront before you book.