Varanasi

7. Banarasee Saree and Lucknavi Suits

Visit Banaras and go back without buying Banarsi sari??!! Not done..

We suggest buy Banarsi saris and suits from the actual karigars or craftsmen, we found one in Madanpura Area. You get exquisite sarees and suits here and can see them being made by these artists. Believe us on this, these sarees are much cheaper and are of better quality than the ones you get at emporiums and handicraft centres. They know the art of putting the golden and silver zaris into a masterpiece. We bought almost 10 suits and 2 sarees at unbelievable prices..

And once you are done buying banarsi saris and silks it’s time to buy some lucknavi suits and kurtis.. Yes!! You heard it right.. Visit this shop, where a cow sits inside the shop

without disturbing anyone. We found this shop to be a paradise for lucknavi suit lovers!!

8. Get some "Ranjhana" factor

We relived Ranjhana (a movie starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor) as we headed to Kashi Junction. This station has its own charm but we also went ahead and walked through the Varuna Pull. ‘Vara’ from Varuna pull with Assi Ghat gave the city its distinctive name; Varanasi!! How cool is that..!

We thought of walking a bit more from there and after a good 7 minutes walk we reached Rajghat.. What a beauty this place is. We discovered that there are so many potential places in the city and we are so restricted.. This should be on your list else you are only travelling to tourist spots.

10. Khaike Paan Banaras Wala..!!

Trip to Kashi is surely incomplete without Banarasi Paan. And an awesome way to start and end your meal!! We surely loved paan with extra gulukand and ilaichi..

3. Bharat Mata Mandir

Banaras is surely known for its temple with mysteries and histories but we were surprised to have discovered a temple dedicated to our motherland. I mean, India is a land of Gods and Goddess and Banaras being a hub we were pleasantly surprised to have discovered this one. The place has a ceramic 3D map of India and has given a shelter to many freedom fighters who gave their lives for the nation. We felt disappointed as not many pay a visit here but I am glad to have discovered this gem!!

12 Things to do in Varanasi...

Varuna pull and the Assi Ghat together named the holiest town of Kashi as Varanasi. Known to be the oldest and lord Shiva’s favourite, Banaras is a city of myths and mythologies. We travelled the city through and through for four days and here are top 12 things that you must not come back without doing..

Take a look..

Visit the Ghats

Yes, it is extremely stereotypical but visiting the Ghats or the banks of river Ganges is a must. You might not expect the magic you are going to experience while you’re on the way but expect the magical Ganges and take a stroll across the length and breadth of Ghats on a boat.

These Ghats are typically serene and compel you to contemplate; how small our life circle is. It is exactly here where you will see many bringing their infants to bow their heads and pray for a blissful life and a few meters away are the Ghats where hundreds of pyres are lit everyday!!

But what you must not miss is the Ganga aarti. Though the aarti is performed in exactly the same way at all the ghats, an elaborated ceremony can be seen at Dashawmedh Ghat where the prayers attract

many and is definitely the show stopper of the day!! Come in the morning, or late at night the Ganges will never leave you disappointed.

2. Visiting Temples

This is why the place is called the holiest city in the world. The city is home to several small and big temples; temples are built in every nook and corner of the city and most of them are ancient and have relevant history attached to them. Kashi Vishwanath temple is worth going. Amidst tight security and buzzing market the temple vicinity also has temple of Goddess Anapurna (considered the goddess who blesses us with food) which serves simmering hot South Indian food as langar for a stipulated time in the afternoon. Visit Kashi Vishwanath temple to see the Shivalinga being decorated during the aarti and the decoration is taken off as the aarti ends. Many history chapters are relived here. Give a thought over visiting a few more

temples like Tulsi Manas Mandir dedicated to

Saint Tulsi Das, the huge marble structure is a hit among tourists and we hope it remains one. Also visit Durga Kund, which is adjacent to Tulsi Manas Mandir, this red structure is surely a not-to-miss place. History has in store that your visit to Kashi Vishwanath is incomplete if you don’t pay visit to Kaal Behro temple and Batuk Behro temple, the two guarding temples of Kashi Vishwanath..

Now that's quite a dose of history!!

4. Street Food, Street Food and
Street Food!!

Chat lovers and street food lovers this place is more than a paradise. The food scene is elaborate, amazing and delicious. When your morning starts from puri sabzi, and kachoris and ends with tamatar ki chaat and kulfi and evening snacks are aloo chops and gol gappas.. We surly have an excuse to go back!! The chaats are spicier, cheaper and tastier than I have had elsewhere. The Kachoris unlike the ones we get in Delhi are filled with aloo. Must visit Deena Chaat Bhandar and order Samosa Chaat, Gol Gappa Chaat, Tikki, Pao Bhaji, Gol Gappe and end it all with a Kulfi..

Goals of Life... Achieved!!

5. Visit Ramnagar Fort

Built on the eastern bank of river Ganges, Ramnagar fort was built by Kashi Naresh Balwant Singh in 1750, the fort is definitely not in a good shape. I mean the place has a potential to attract tourism but we are so clueless why aren’t they cashing on such an amazing property built in Mughal style and houses some worth watching antiques in its museum. The roads from Varanasi to Ramnagar are in a bad shape but alls worth when you are welcomed by a place as picturesque as this...

6. Sarnath - Budhha's Treasure

Situated 10 kilometres from the city, a convenient auto ride after budging with the auto driver (remember they don’t have meter system thus budging is the best deal) you are good to go to the place where Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon to his five disciples. The main stupa at Sarnath is built in a position which looks like meditating Buddha! A walk through the main stupa, you will find well maintained ruins of his time. Sarnath Museum by far is one of those where you wouldn’t get bored at all. Walk a few meters and you reach the Buddha temple. This magnificent idol of Buddha is surely a place to attain peace. The walls of this temple depict life story of Buddha, which left us awestruck!! Few steps and here you

find Buddha sitting under the tree preaching five of his disciples..

But Sarnath’s hunt for Buddha doesn’t end here.. Walk another few meters to a Chinese Temple, which again is not visited by many has a typical entrance, Buddha’s features here are distinctive..

9. Real Kashi is the narrow Streets

Travel the narrow streets than taking the main roads. Believe us travelling by foot to nearby areas with a little help of locals will surely give you an insight of this ancient city where every house, every haveli has a story living under its roof.

11. Banaras Hindu University

Come the statue of Bharat Ratna Madan Mohan Malviya and you know you have finally reached Banaras Hindu University where life is discussion over a cup of tea, and intellectualism is a way of life. A huge lush green campus has many popular eating joints which serves extra ordinary mango shake and cold coffee. Not to forget the campus has its own Vishwanath Mandir which is worth a watch!!

12. Never hire a Guide or a Taxi

This one should be a strict rule!! Never ever hire a guide if you are genuinely the kinds who want to feel and discover the newness of the city. Connect with locals because they guide the best. We had an awesome friend who was as excited to give us a tour through her hometown as we were regarding this colourful place..

Fernwehism

12 Things to do in Varanasi...