What to do in Varanasi

Life and death dance an eternal waltz along these ancient ghats, where incense mingles with morning mist and prayer bells pierce the dawn. As the sun rises over the Ganges, wooden boats glide past pilgrims performing riverside rituals, while narrow lanes spiral into a maze of temples and chai wallahs. By dusk, the Ganga Aarti transforms Dashashwamedh Ghat into a spectacular choreography of fire and chanting. Whether you're watching silk weavers at work, sipping lassi from earthen cups, or exploring the Buddhist sanctuaries of nearby Sarnath, this spiritual capital reveals India at its most profound and compelling.

See the Ganga Aarti evening ceremony in Varanasi

This experience is very significant in Varanasi, where the holy Ganges is worshipped as a daily ritual and the Aarti is performed by the students of the Vedas and Upanishads, led by the head priest of the Gangotri Seva Samiti.