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Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

Varanasi: A Journey Through Life and Death | Traveda Tour 2025

Established for about 3,500 years, Varanasi, or Benares, is one of the oldest human settlements in the world. The city is built in the bend of the Ganges and Hindu mythology wants it to be the place where the whole world was created and the only one that will survive its destruction. This makes Varanasi the most sacred city for Hindus.

About a million pilgrims go there every year to make ablutions in the Ganges and thus wash away their sins.

Not only that, Hindus are convinced that dying in Varanasi and being burned along the western bank of the river allows them to escape samsara, the cycle of reincarnations.

To cease the rebirth and suffer the pains of life is the ultimate goal of the Hindu spiritual path. In fact, only pure souls can be definitively disembodied and be reunited with the cosmic whole from which they come. Reaching this level of spiritual awakening requires many life cycles, in which one can progress and regress, which would lead to being embodied in lower forms of life. Dying in Varanasi offers the advantage of completing this process once and for all.

This is why many Indians go to Varanasi in their old age and wait for the moment of their passing away. They confide they will reunite with Ganga, the mother goddess who gives life and feeds the waters of the river Ganges.

Given these premises, no one arrives in Varanasi by chance. Hindus are very clear about the purpose of a visit to the city, as are foreign travellers who go there. Tourists looking for leisure will hardly choose Varanasi as their destination: the city has a lot to offer, but only if you really want to witness very intimate and often controversial aspects of the Hindu profession of faith. In Varanasi, life and death hold hands, as sisters. It is impossible to separate the two aspects and it is necessary to open heart and mind to understand this reality without letting emotions become overwhelming or fall into easy judgments.

If you wish to embrace a reality so different from our own, here are my tips on what to see in Varanasi.

1. Walking along the 84 ghats

Varanasi is located on the west bank of the Ganges. The river can be accessed by steps called Ghats. There are 84 ghats in all and they cover a distance of about 6 km. I recommend you to walk until you cover them all.

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

The scenes of daily life and religious devotion that take place there are absolutely the most extraordinary thing to watch: pilgrims who immerse themselves and pray; sadhus meditating or practising yoga; women doing laundry and drying clothes on the ghat steps; men shampooing and soaping in the river; children and adults enjoying splashing water for fun.

Privacy is a concept little practised in India and Varanasi is no exception: life takes place along the banks of the Ganges!

2. Take a boat ride on the Ganges

As soon as you reach the ghats in Varanasi, someone will approach you for a boat trip. Don’t be wary and accept! 

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

The view of the city from the Ganges is sensational, both at sunrise and sunset. You can also use the boat as a taxi, when you are tired of walking. Bargain a bit on the price, but don’t overdo it.

3. Watch the pyres burn at Manikarnika Ghat

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

Many sacred cities have arisen over the centuries along the banks of the Ganges, but only in Varanasi the crematory ovens are positioned in the urban centre.The most important cremation ghat is Manikarnika Ghat, where wooden pyres have been burning for millennia. Each cremation requires about 3 quintals of wood: the roads leading to the Ghat are filled with piles of logs that shopkeepers sell to the relatives of the deceased.

4. Attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony

Every evening, in Varanasi, you can attend a majestic ritual of thanksgiving to the river goddess, Ganga. It’s called Ganga Aarti and it takes place on the Dasaswamedh Ghat.

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.
Ganga Aarti, Dashashwamedh Ghat

Here are a few notions to help you understand its significant cultural value: Ganga is the Hindu deity from which our entire galaxy, the Milky Way, originated. Hindu traditions displayed it as a river of stars. A drop fell on the earth, generating the Ganges, which gave life to the whole world.

The ceremony is followed by the entire community: some fill the steps of the square, some assist seated on boats anchored a few metres from the shore. The Pandits, the priests who perform the rite, dance to the frenetic rhythm of drums, while the air is filled with the scent of sandalwood.

The faithful light candles and put them on the riverbed, hoping that the goddess Ganga will accept their demands and fulfil them. I advise you to attend the Ganga Aarti, from different points of view. At first, you might feel stunned by the intensity of the sounds and smells, but I assure you that in the end, it will conquer you.

5. Visit the 6,000 temples of Varanasi

Varanasi is a sacred city and, as such, teems with temples, altars and aedicules. An Indian saying reads: “No one knows whether Varanasi has more temples in houses or houses in temples!”

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

Visit the main religious sites, but do not neglect to find the minor altars. The two most famous temples are the Nepali Temple and the Golden Temple: the Nepali Temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Varanasi. It was built in the 19th century by the King of Nepal and is a replica of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. It is located along the Ganges River, just before arriving at the Manikarnika Ghat. To access it you pay an entrance and climb the high and steep steps. The Ganges looks amazing from the temple.

The Golden Temple, or Kashi Vishwanath, is one of the most sacred places in the city. It is reserved only for Hindus, so tourists are not allowed. You can still see it from the outside. I could not do this either, because it was guarded during the controversial and questionable work of demolition involving the blocks surrounding the temple.

If you walk away from the ghats and move into the alleys of the city, you will discover that Varanasi is a maze of intersections and winding streets which can make you lose your orientation. The most amazing thing is that every route you take will give you new glimpses: you will come across thousands of small shops and local craft shops. If you pay attention, you will discover that Varanasi hides over 6,000 temples and small altars: each house has its own Shiva altar, often carved out on the outside walls of the building; at each crossroads you can admire small altars, built in the most unthinkable points, each with a small lingam to venerate. 

In Varanasi you will soon become familiar with these strange statuettes: the lingams symbolise the phallus of Shiva, supported by a concave shape that depicts the vagina of his wife Parvati. No, it is not a joke and be careful not to make fun of it: lingam is one of the most beloved symbols for over a billion Hindus, like the crucifix for Christians.

6. Spend some time in the Fruit Market

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

In Varanasi 80% of people are vegetarian. There are two main fruit and vegetable markets in town: these are very popular and interesting places to visit. I spent a few hours in the Panchkoshi market: the greengrocers are really friendly and, considering the selfie-mania that rages in India, you will certainly enjoy taking pictures with them!

7. Visit Sarath Buddhist Sanctuary

In Sarnath, a few kilometres north of Varanasi, there is an important Buddhist shrine. Here, in fact, Gautama Siddhartha the Buddha began his preaching and exposed to his followers the sermons that contain the core of Buddhist doctrine: the four noble truths and the eightfold path. 

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.
Sarath Buddhist Sanctuary

The sanctuary of Sarnath, with its large archaeological park with stupas and ruins of temples, is certainly worth a visit, but be careful not to confuse it with the neighbouring cheap temple.

9. Try local food

Indian food is notoriously rich and tasty. If you don’t like spicy food, you can always ask to prepare a dish without spices or chilli. I didn’t get any results, but it’s always worth a try! 

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

In Varanasi the most touristy (and expensive) restaurants are on the ghats: We recommend them because they offer typical Indian dishes to safe hygienic standards. 

If you love adventure and have an invincible intestinal flora, try lassi, a typical yoghurt and spice drink, or enjoy street food served in small portions by street vendors. I didn’t dare so much, but I met travellers who were crazy about it and had not suffered in terms of health.

10. Take a yoga class

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities, offers a deep spiritual and cultural experience. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, it’s the most sacred city for Hindus, where millions of pilgrims come to wash away their sins and seek peace. Witness the vibrant sights and sounds of the Ganga Aarti, explore sacred temples, walk along the 84 ghats, and visit the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place. Varanasi is not just a place, it’s an experience that beautifully blends life and death, spirituality, and tradition.

Varanasi is full of yoga centres. You can book a lesson for really low prices. I did not have time for it, but during my stay in Varanasi I observed sadhus and pilgrims practising their sun salutation at dawn. Their flexibility was extraordinary. Who knows, maybe next time I go back to Varanasi I’ll jump into this experience!

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Varanasi is a remarkable city that offers a unique glimpse into the connections between life, death, and spirituality. As millions of pilgrims visit each year, they come to wash away their sins and seek peace along the banks of the Ganges. The Ganga Aarti ceremony, with its vibrant sights and sounds, creates an unforgettable atmosphere of celebration and devotion.

Visitors exploring places like Manikarnika Ghat and the many temples begin to understand the deep importance of this city in Hindu culture. Varanasi is not just a destination; it is a living expression of faith and tradition. Each winding alley and bustling market reveals new experiences, from delicious local food to the welcoming smiles of the people.

Overall, Varanasi challenges travellers to look beyond their own lives and appreciate the beauty of a different way of living. It is a place where life and death exist side by side, reminding everyone of the larger journey we are all on. Those who visit leave with a sense of change and a deeper appreciation for the stories and beliefs that shape our world.

If you wish to explore the essence of Varanasi, we offer guided tours to help you experience it all. Let us take you on a journey through the city’s spiritual heart, uncovering its rich heritage and sacred sites

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