When you first walk onto the
streets of the city, it is a feeling that knows no expressions. Varanasi is a
city that can definitely captivate your imagination and spin a story of its
own. Sitting on one of the 365 ghats (more commonly referred to as the banks),
listening to the soft whispers of river Ganga as it flows, the sound of the
temple bells floating in the air, it is an experience of a lifetime.
Backpacking and walking among
the crowded lanes of the one of the oldest towns in India, certainly even the
world, you will undeniably rediscover yourself. There is something about the
city! Geographically located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the origin of
Varanasi can be traced back to 11th century BC. The spiritual
awakening, which the city leads to, has made it the religious capital of India.
The perfect amalgamation of different religion exiting harmoniously can be
outlined here.
With friendly locals and lots
of rabri and jalebi available on each street corner, and obviously the Benerasi
pan, Varanasi hosts about 2000 temples. But that is not it! The list of things
to see and do in Varanasi is actually pretty huge. But if you are on a time
crunch, then follow the below mentioned list that highlights on how to get the
best of the city in just three days. Offering lucrative deals on travel, with
great discounts on group travel and arrangements with the best hotels in the city, travel agencies in
Kolkata and in
other metropolitans will help you experience the city. Read on and find out
more the city of temple.
Day 1: The Day of the Ghats and Ganga
The first thing you do when
you reach this ancient city is to visit the ghats. Dashaswamedh ghat is on one
of the oldest and most popular among all. The best time to visit the ghat is
during the evening aarti that is a
tribute to the Hindu gods. The priests gather on the banks of the river and
perform a synchronised and mesmerising honour to the gods. Once the aarti is over, you can rent a boat at a
really cheap rate and go on a ride. A good one hour ride will be enough to
charm you and captivate your imagination. From Assi ghat to Manikarnika ghat,
each has a story to tell. After you are done with the ride, you can retrieve to
your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening just lying around.
Day 2: The
Temple Hopping Day
After a wonderful first day, dedicate your
second day for visit to the oldest temples in the world. Start from the popular
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, followed by Tulsi Manas Temple, Durga Kund Temple,
Sankat Mochan Temple and the Birla Temple which is located inside the Beneras
Hindu University campus. You can also visit the Nepali Temple and take a great
look of the city and its surroundings from Man Mahal Observatory. Indulge
yourself into the sweetness of the numerous sweet shops that are located everywhere
in the city. If you are not however for trying the local delicacies, then you
can definitely try the plethora of restaurants that are located in the main
city.
Day 3:
Walking the Path of Buddha
After a stellar second day, start the final
day by watching the sunrise over the horizons of Ganga. After a local breakfast
(and it is highly recommended) head out for Sarnath, located at a distance of
13 kilometres from the centre of the city. If the enchanting Varanasi was not
enough to cast its magic, then it has to be the wide tree laden roads of
Sarnath. Dhamek Stupa, the place where Buddha first taught his disciples, the
museum, Thai Temple, Chinese Temple and the Chaukhandi Stupa are some of the
major attractions of this small town. A day spent here will help you get in
touch with your inner self. Away from the hustle and bustle of cities and every
corner enriched with history, Sarnath is a must visit.
The congested roads, the lovely locales, the
mesmerising scenery, the tranquillity- all of it are enough to attract you to
Varanasi. It is a place everyone should visit at least once. With famous travel agencies in Kolkata and all around the country, some of which have international offices as well, you can get the best of the city in an affordable price. So plan your next holidays and get lost in
the pages of history.
