Varanasi, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, mirrors the true Indian colors, culture, and traditions in their full glory. Located on the banks of the holy river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, or Banaras/Kashi, as people popularly call it, is one of the holiest cities in India. People from different parts of the world visit this sacred city to wash away their sins on the ghats lining the Ganges. It is even believed that dying on the soil of Varanasi frees a person from all the worldly desires and helps him/her attain moksha.
In Mark Twain’s worlds, "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." The history of the city dates back to the 2nd century BCE when it was the seat of the Aryan Rulers. In the 6th century, during the time of Buddha, the city became the capital of Kashi Kingdom and thus attained its popular name Kashi. Art, religion, and education flourished in the city during this time and it remained as the religious, educational, and arts center for many centuries that followed. The tour guides, assigned with the Varanasi Tour Packages, would tell you a more detailed description of the history of the city while you take a stroll around the city ghats.
The Ganga ghats are the most popular tourist spot in the Varanasi. Be it the Assi Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Harishchandra Ghat or the Anandmayee Ghat, no Varanasi Holiday Packages are complete without the mention of these ghats. In fact, there are many Varanasi Spiritual Tour Packages that are dedicated to a tour around the places of spiritual importance in the city. There are many other tourist places that form a part of Varanasi Tourism Packages. These include Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Kathwala Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Gyan Vapi Well, Durga Temple, Ramnagar Fort, Chunar Fort, Sarnath, Man Mandir Observatory etc.
When in Varanasi, the street food should not be given a miss. Puri/kachori-sabzi with the syrupy jalebis and kullhad milk make the perfect breakfast. Spicy chaat, white butter toast, Malaiyyo, baati chokha, tamatar chaat, etc., are some other famous dishes that one should try when strolling through the old lanes of Varanasi. Don’t forget to take home some Banarasi silk, wooden toys, gulabi minakari items, stone-carved curios and the holy Ganga Jal as souvenirs for your loved ones from this sacred city.
While booking Varanasi Holiday Travel Packages, try to make your trip during the five-day festival Ganga Mahotsav that takes place in November. This city is seamlessly connected via all the three means, be it rail, road or air. Those traveling by air can take a flight to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. The rail commuters need to get down at the Varanasi Junction railway station and those traveling by road can reach here easily by the bus services from different parts of the country or by personal/hired vehicles. More »
