Varanasi
Varanasi, once known as Banaras, is one of India's oldest and holiest cities and part of the "Golden Triangle" of Indian tourism.
Get in
By plane
It has an Airport, with a bus that links to Varanasi (about 1 hour travel). To go to the airport the bus leaves near the hotel India, at 10:00 (approx), price 50rs/person. Expect to pay approximately 200 to 250 rs for a taxi to the airport.
By train
Trains arrive from Delhi and Agra several times a day. There is a daily train from Lucknow. There's an night express from a station near Agra to Varanasi (departure around 19h and arrival around 07h). There are two railway stations. Check which one is nearer your hotel...
By car
By bus
Get around
Many of the sights are in the tiny narrow winding alleys of the waterfront. Rickshaws are only useful for longer trips across town or to the train station. Taxis exist but traffic makes them impractical.
By foot is the only way to see the waterfront and the ghats but be ready to be hot, sweaty, and lost. Local children are happy to point you in the right direction for a few rupees. The names of ghats and signs pointing to restaurants and hotels are often painted on the walls in Roman letters.
See
- Viswanath Temple
- Alamagir Mosque
- Man Mandir Observatory
- Tusli Mana Temple
- Durga Temple
- Benaras Hindu University
Ghats
- Panchaganga Ghat
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Dasawamedh Ghat, one of the main ghats, restricted to rickshaw you have to walk 5 minutes approx to arrive.
- Rana Ghat
- Kedar Ghat
- Harishchandra Ghat
- Hanuman Ghat
- Shivala Ghat
- Tulsidas Ghat
- Asi Ghat
Do
Take a boat during sunset for one hour (about 50 rs/person), includes a visit to crematories (if you want), a donation is asked in the crematories. Dasawamedh Ghat it's a good place to take the boat.
See the Puja (hindu ceremony) from the Ghats or from a boat. It's at the evening, confirm the starting time. Dasawamedh Ghat it's also a good Ghat.
Learn
Varanasi University offers classes in English.
Work
There is very little opportunity for work in Varanasi, unless you have a specific skill in demand.
Buy
- Varanasi is famous for its fine silk.
Eat
There are numerous food outlets Varanasi, and there is a very dynamic range in quality :-) The restaurants closer to the ghats cater more to the tourist palate - which is not necessarily a bad thing. To get really authentic Banarasi khana you're going to have to get to the main market area. Varanasi is known for its desserts. A good source for recommendations is the Lonely Planet, which is indispensable when traveling around India.
Gee restaurant its awful. Don't try it !!!
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Sleep
Travel and accommodation around India is probably best managed with the Lonely Planet - treasure it like your towel. Generally the more interesting area to stay is around the ghats, along the river Ganges. This is where most foreigners hang out, with reason. The main ghat, temples, market area are all within short walking distance.
Budget
- Shanti Guesthouse -- There are several hotels near the ghats that have taken the name "Shanti" after Lonely Planet listed a hotel with that name. The "original" is a clean but very basic building with several floors of windowless rooms (actually cooler and safer than ones with exterior windows). The rooftop cafe offers money changing, internet access, and a view of the Burning Ghats.
- The Yogi Lodge -- This is a quaint kindly managed hotel with dorms and private rooms near the main ghat. Telephone: 239 2588. There are many Yogi Lodges, so the management suggests that you call them when you arrive at the train station and they will send somebody down to collect you or you can arrange to meet at the St. Thomas church. The price for a rickshaw should be no more than 30 rp to the main ghat.
- Sahi Riverview Guest House--. i stayed there last year. the place is very clean, quiet.. I recommend it. Newly opened the Guest House has the most fascinating Ganges views and the exotic sunrise from its balconies, rooms and terrace. Location is right on Assi Ghat,next to Harmony Book Shop. All rooms have 24 hrs hot water with attatched bathrooms. You will get a very homely touch. Monkey Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, BHU and Red Fort are very approachable.
- Vishnu Rest House on Panday Ghat Tel:450206 is a very clean and friendly guest house over looking the river.
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay safe
Power outages are extremely common. On a starless night during a power shortage navigating the alleys just off the ghats would be not only scary but dangerous without a torch. You can pick a small torch up at a local shop for 20 to 100 rps. Chances are you would rather see that cow that you have to pass in the alley, rather than walk into it.
Get out
- Nepal -- buses travel to the Nepali border where you can transfer to Kathmandu and Chitwan buses. Most buses go via Lucknow and can take 8-12 hours. Airplanes going to Nepal via Varanasi every day.
- Agra -- is the next point on the tourist triangle. Buses and trains, including overnight trains, leave several times a day.
- Sarnath -- site of the Buddha's first sermon
- Ramnagar Fort -- historical royal residence and museum across the Ganges
- Chunar Fort -- ruins of battlements and ancient settlement 15 miles from Varanasi.
External links
- http://www.varanasionline.com/index.htm
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