Places to Visit in Varanasi

Top attractions and must-see spots in Varanasi

Cultural

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  • Harishchandra Ghat

    One of the oldest and most sacred cremation ghats in Varanasi, deeply associated with the legendary king Harishchandra.

  • Manikarnika Ghat

    Sacred cremation ghat where Hindu last rites are performed.

Landmarks

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  • Banaras Hindu University

    Famous university campus with peaceful vibes and spiritual sites.

  • Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum

    A renowned museum at BHU Varanasi housing an extensive collection of textiles, miniature paintings, and ancient artifacts.

  • Bharat Mata Temple

    A unique temple in Varanasi dedicated to Mother India, housing a detailed marble relief map of undivided India, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936.

  • Chet Singh Ghat Fort

    A historic riverside ghat in Varanasi where Maharaja Chet Singh once resisted British forces in the 18th century.

  • Dashashwamedh Ghat

    Varanasi's most famous ghat, best known for its spectacular nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony attended by thousands of pilgrims and visitors.

  • Kabir Math

    A historic ashram in Varanasi marking the birthplace of the saint-poet Kabir, a revered spiritual site for his followers.

  • Malviya Bridge

    A historic 1887 double-decker rail-road bridge over the Ganga at Varanasi offering aerial views of the famous ghats and the river at dawn.

  • Ramnagar Fort

    Historic fort with a museum showcasing royal collections.

  • Ramnagar Museum

    A 17th-century fort across the Ganges from Varanasi, housing a museum with royal artefacts, vintage cars, and antique weapons.

  • Sarnath

    The sacred site near Varanasi where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, featuring ancient stupas, monasteries, and a world-class museum.

Scenic Spots

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  • Assi Ghat

    Vibrant ghat known for morning aarti and yoga sessions.

  • Kedar Ghat

    A sacred ghat in Varanasi dedicated to Lord Shiva, featuring a prominent temple and peaceful steps along the Ganges.

  • Munshi Ghat

    A historic and atmospheric ghat in Varanasi associated with the Darbhanga royal family, featuring ornate architecture along the Ganges.

  • Namo Ghat

    A grand newly developed ghat at Varanasi inaugurated in 2021 with a giant Trishul statue, meditation pavilions, and modern facilities for Ganga Aarti.

  • Panchganga Ghat

    A sacred ghat in Varanasi marking the mythical confluence of five rivers, dotted with temples and known for its ancient lamp tower.

  • Scindia Ghat

    A picturesque ghat in Varanasi known for its partially submerged Shiva temple and the striking Scindia family chattri on its steps.

Shopping

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  • Bulanala & Madanpura

    A traditional textile and weaving hub in Varanasi known for its authentic Banarasi silk sarees and fabric trade.

  • Chowk Market

    One of Varanasi's oldest marketplaces, famous for Banarasi silk, silver jewellery, and traditional handicrafts.

  • Gowdolia Market

    Varanasi's most central and chaotic marketplace at the crossroads of the ghats, Kashi Vishwanath, and the silk bazaars — the commercial heart of the old city.

  • Kotwali Area

    The historic old city police precinct area of Varanasi serving as a hub of the ancient lanes, temples, and traditional commerce.

  • Lahurabir Market

    A lively commercial area in Varanasi known for electronics, clothing, and everyday goods, popular with locals and visitors alike.

  • Mehmoorganj & Peeli Kothi

    A historic neighbourhood in Varanasi known for its colonial-era yellow building and as a hub of local commerce and daily life.

  • Thatheri Bazaar

    A traditional market in Varanasi known for its brass and bronze utensils, representing a centuries-old craft tradition of the city.

  • Vishwanath Gali

    A narrow bustling lane in Varanasi leading to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, lined with shops selling flowers, sweets, and religious offerings.

Temple

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  • Must Visit

    Kashi Vishwanath Temple

    One of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in Varanasi, the holiest of all Shiva temples and a destination every Hindu pilgrim aspires to visit once in a lifetime.

  • Annapurna Devi Temple

    Important temple dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, traditionally visited along with Kashi Vishwanath.

  • Durga Temple

    An 18th-century Nagara-style Durga temple beside the Durga Kund tank in Varanasi, known as the Monkey Temple and especially vibrant during Navratri.

  • Kaal Bhairav Temple

    The presiding guardian deity temple of Varanasi, dedicated to Kaal Bhairav, a fierce form of Shiva, unique for its tradition of offering alcohol as prasad.

  • Nepali Mandir

    A 19th-century pagoda-style temple built by the King of Nepal on Varanasi's ghats, modelled on Kathmandu's Pashupatinath.

  • New Kashi Vishwanath Temple (BHU)

    A towering 77-metre white marble Shiva temple within BHU campus, built by the Birla family and open to all castes since 1966.

  • Parshwanath Temple

    A revered Jain temple known for its intricate carvings and spiritual tranquility in the heart of Varanasi.

  • Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple (Leaning Temple)

    Varanasi's iconic leaning Shiva temple near Manikarnika Ghat, tilting 9 degrees and partially submerged during the Ganga floods.

  • Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

    A deeply beloved Hanuman temple in Varanasi founded by the saint Tulsidas, believed to remove all obstacles, and the site of a devastating 2006 bomb attack that did not deter devotees.

  • Tulsi Manas Mandir

    A marble temple in Varanasi built at the site where Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas, its walls inscribed with verses from the epic poem.

  • Vishalakshi Temple

    One of the 51 Shakti Peethas in Varanasi near Meer Ghat, dedicated to Goddess Vishalakshi where Sati's eyes are said to have fallen, completing the city's Shaiva-Shakta pilgrimage circuit.

Other Places

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  • Markandeya Mahadev Temple

    An ancient Shiva shrine at Kaithi where sage Markandeya's devotion is said to have conquered death itself.

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