Places to visit in Varanasi
Practical guides to the temples, ghats and nearby sites that fill most Varanasi itineraries.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The most important Shiva temple in Varanasi and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, reached today through the wide Kashi Vishwanath Corridor from the Ganga. View details →
Dashashwamedh Ghat
The main and busiest ghat of Varanasi, famous for the nightly Ganga aarti performed by priests with lamps and chanting. View details →
Assi Ghat
The southernmost major ghat where the Assi stream meets the Ganga, known for its relaxed morning atmosphere, yoga, music and sunrise views. View details →
Sarnath
The deer park where the Buddha gave his first sermon, about 10 km from Varanasi, with ancient stupas, a museum and a calm, green campus. View details →
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
A much-loved Hanuman temple in the south of the city, associated with Tulsidas and known for Tuesday and Saturday crowds. View details →
Ramnagar Fort
An 18th-century fort on the eastern bank of the Ganga, the seat of the Kashi royal family, with a small museum of vintage cars, weapons and textiles. View details →
Ram Janmabhoomi & Ayodhya
The Ram temple at Ayodhya, along with Hanuman Garhi and the Saryu ghats, about 200 to 230 km from Varanasi and usually visited as a long day trip. View details →
Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj
The meeting point of the Ganga and Yamuna (with the mythical Saraswati) at Prayagraj, about 120 km from Varanasi. View details →
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
The UNESCO World Heritage temple complex in Bihar where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. View details →
Annapurna Devi Temple
The temple of Annapurna, the goddess of food, which stands close to Kashi Vishwanath and is usually visited right after the main darshan. View details →
Kaal Bhairav Temple
The shrine of Kaal Bhairav, regarded as the guardian of Kashi, where many pilgrims seek blessings before or after visiting Kashi Vishwanath. View details →
Durga Temple
An 18th-century red sandstone temple beside the Durga Kund pond in south Varanasi, popularly known as the Monkey Temple. View details →
Banaras Hindu University & New Vishwanath Temple
One of India's largest residential campuses, founded in 1916, with the New Vishwanath Temple and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum inside. View details →
Banarasi Silk Weaving Lanes
The workshops and lanes where Banarasi brocade is woven on handlooms, usually visited on a short craft stop between temples. View details →
Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya
A hilltop Hanuman temple in the middle of Ayodhya, reached by a flight of steps and visited together with Ram Janmabhoomi. View details →
Saryu Ghat & Ram Ki Paidi, Ayodhya
The riverfront of the Saryu in Ayodhya, with bathing ghats, evening aarti and a calm end to the day. View details →
Bade Hanuman Mandir, Prayagraj
A temple near the Sangam with a rare reclining Hanuman image, often visited after the boat ride to the confluence. View details →
Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya
A large seated Buddha statue, about 80 feet tall, set in a garden near the Mahabodhi Temple. View details →
Manikarnika Ghat
The main cremation ghat of Varanasi, best seen with respect from the river as part of a boat ride. View details →