Kashi (Varanasi, Banaras): The Spiritual Capital of India

Varanasi (also called Kashi or Banaras) is one of India’s oldest living cities and a major Hindu pilgrimage site. It sits on the holy Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh. Archaeological and historical records show Kashi has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years. In Hindu belief, Kashi is Shiva’s own city – legend says Lord Shiva founded the town – and dying here brings liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth. The city’s very name means “City of Light,” reflecting its role as a center of spiritual learning and rituals for millennia. Every day, thousands of pilgrims walk the panchakosi (5-mile) pilgrimage route or bathe in the Ganges here, hoping to cleanse their sins.

Kashi’s spiritual importance is immense. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) is a Jyotirlinga (one of 12 major Shiva shrines) and among India’s most revered temples. According to Britannica, “among the city’s numerous temples, the most-venerated are those of Vishvanatha (Shiva), Sankatmochana (Hanuman), and Durga”. Varanasi’s ghats (wide steps) along the Ganges are sites of daily worship, rituals, and festivals. For example, the great Ganga Aarti ceremony is held each evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat, lighting lamps and chanting hymns beside the river. Travelers and locals crowd the banks at sunset to watch “flickering flames dancing on the water” – a mesmerizing sight. Kashi also hosts many Hindu festivals: Maha Shivaratri (March/April) has huge processions, and Dev Deepawali (the “Diwali of the Gods” on Kartik Purnima) is famous for millions of diyas (oil lamps) lighting up the ghats. The annual Ganga Mahotsav (a five-day cultural festival in November) celebrates the river’s heritage with music, dance, and the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Many traditions thrive in Kashi. The city is a center of classical music and arts (the Banaras gharana of music). It is famous for crafts: Banarasi silk brocade sarees, woven with gold and silver threads, are iconic – UNESCO notes that silk-weaving is integral to Varanasi, with about 110,000 weavers (nearly 25% of the city) in this centuries-old industry. Kashi is also known for its sweets and street food (sweet jalebi, spicy kachori, thick lassi topped with rabri, etc.) and for religious schools. Banaras Hindu University (established 1916) is a major educational campus with its own temples.

Modern Developments. The city’s infrastructure has grown rapidly in recent years. A major project is the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, inaugurated in 2021, which opened a wide, four-lane path from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple down to the river. This new corridor provides clean ghats, gardens, and amenities for pilgrims. Under the national Namami Gange clean-water program, officials aim to make the Ganges in Varanasi visibly clean by 2024. Swachh Bharat (Clean India) drives have improved sanitation and waste collection in the city. Roads and highways around Varanasi are being upgraded; for example, the new Varanasi–Lucknow Expressway and better state highways shorten travel time.

The airport is also expanding. The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport near Varanasi is undergoing a ₹2,870 crore upgrade (by 2027) with a larger terminal and extended runway. This will increase passenger capacity from about 3.9 million to 10 million per year, and double the number of gates and aprons. In the future, a metro rail line and more tourist-friendly facilities are planned. These projects aim to make Kashi a world-class city of pilgrimage and tourism while preserving its heritage.

The riverfront ghats of Kashi (Varanasi) are steps and platforms leading to the Ganges, where people bathe, pray, and gather for the evening aarti. The ghats extend for miles along the river.

Top Places to Visit in Varanasi

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Varanasi’s holiest temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a gold-plated dome and two gold spires. Built in the 18th century (by Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar) on earlier temple sites, it is one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas. Pilgrims believe worship here grants salvation (moksha). The new Kashi Corridor (opened 2021) leads right to this temple, making access easier and improving visitor facilities.

• Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ganga Aarti. The grand main ghat of Varanasi, famed for its nightly Ganga Aarti. At sunset each day, priests on Dashashwamedh’s steps perform the aarti with large oil lamps and conches, to the accompaniment of hymns. The sight of lamps and incense smoke reflecting on the river is unforgettable; Moneycontrol travelogue notes the “flickering flames dancing on the water” during this ceremony. Dashashwamedh Ghat is very busy at dawn and dusk. One can also take a boat ride from here for a beautiful sunrise view of the ghats.
• Assi Ghat. A lively ghat at the southern end of the city, where the Assi River meets the Ganges. This ghat is popular with pilgrims and younger visitors. Early morning yoga and puja ceremonies are common here. Many boat tours start or end at Assi Ghat. The walkable pilgrimage route (Panchakosi Parikrama) also goes from Assi up to Dashashwamedh.
• Manikarnika Ghat. Varanasi’s principal cremation ghat, believed to be one of the oldest. Here flaming funeral pyres burn day and night. Hindus come to have their ashes immersed, hoping to free the soul. Britannica calls Manikarnika “a Hindu cremation site along the Ganges”. (Visitors should be respectful and discreet near this sensitive area.)
• Sankat Mochan Temple. A famous Hanuman temple near Assi Ghat. The name “Sankat Mochan” means “Reliever of Troubles.” According to legend, this temple was founded in the 16th century by the saint and poet Goswami Tulsidas (who wrote the Ramcharitmanas). Devotees flock here to seek blessings of Lord Hanuman. The temple grounds also support a charitable foundation and have a nice garden.
• Durga Temple. Also called the “Monkey Temple” because of the many monkeys in its trees. A terracotta-colored temple dedicated to Goddess Durga (appearing as red-painted walls). It’s a lively neighborhood shrine with daily aarti in the evening. Britannica notes this Durga Temple is “famous for the swarms of monkeys” nearby.
• Tulsi Manas Mandir. A marble temple built where Tulsidas is said to have composed the Ramcharitmanas. Its walls and floors are engraved with verses from the Ramayana. This is one of Varanasi’s newer temples, yet important – Britannica lists Tulsi Manas as a key modern temple in the city. It stands near the New Vishwanath Temple at the Banaras Hindu University campus.
• Bharat Kala Bhavan (Art Museum). Located inside Banaras Hindu University, this museum has a large collection of Indian art, sculptures, textiles, and paintings. It highlights the rich craft heritage of Varanasi (including Banarasi sarees and carpets). (The BHU campus itself is worth a visit for the grand New Vishwanath Temple and gardens.)
• Ramnagar Fort. A historic 18th-century fort-palace on the east bank of the Ganges (across from Varanasi). It was the residence of the Maharaja of Kashi. Today it houses a museum of royal belongings – vintage cars, uniforms, weaponry, and antique clocks. The river views from the fort are scenic. (Tip: There is a busy bazaar outside selling spices and textiles.)
• Sarnath. An important Buddhist pilgrimage site about 10 km north of Varanasi. After enlightenment, Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon (the “Dharmachakra Pravartana”) here. The main attractions are the tall Dhamek Stupa (dating to Ashoka) and ruins of ancient monasteries. The Sarnath Archaeological Museum preserves relics from this site, including the famous Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka. Moneycontrol recommends visiting Sarnath by rickshaw or taxi, and notes “Visit the 34m-high Dhamek Stupa” and the museum for its artifacts SRC- Moneycontrol.
• Boat Rides and Ghats. (Not a single site, but a must-do experience.) Take a traditional wooden boat on the Ganges at sunrise or sunset to see the city’s beauty. Gliding past dozens of ghats and temples, you can watch pilgrims bathing and priests praying. Moneycontrol travel advice says a dawn boat ride offers peace and a front-row seat of the devotion that defines the city. It also allows a close view of the grand aarti from the water in the evening. Always agree on the fare before boarding a boat, and carry water and sun protection.

Travel Tips for Visitors

• Best time to visit: Winters (November to February) have cool, pleasant weather. Daytime is usually mild and ideal for outings. By contrast, summers can be very hot (April–June), and monsoon (July–September) brings heavy rain. According to travel guides, winter is the recommended season for sightseeing and festivals.
• How to reach: Varanasi is well connected by road, rail, and air.
  • By Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (BHU Airport) has daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and other cities. The airport is 25 km from the city; taxis and cabs are available. (The airport is being expanded to handle more passengers.)
  • By Train: Varanasi Junction and Varanasi City (Manduadih) are major rail hubs with trains from across India. Overnight and daylight express trains arrive from Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and other capitals.
  • By Road: Varanasi lies on National Highway NH19 (formerly NH2) between Delhi and Kolkata. Long-distance buses (government and private) serve major cities. Auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and app-based taxis (Ola/Uber) are used within the city.
• Where to stay: Most guesthouses and hotels cluster near the old city ghats (Dashashwamedh, Assi, etc.) and near BHU. Budget guesthouses by the river offer simple rooms and rooftop views of the Ganges. Mid-range hotels and heritage “heritage palace” hotels line the Ghats and in the Cantonment area. Luxury hotels (like Taj Ganges, Brij Rama Palace) are a short drive away. It’s wise to book ahead if visiting during peak season (winter) or festival dates.
• Food: Kashi has many vegetarian restaurants and famous street snacks. Try local specialties like kachori-sabzi (spicy fried pastry with potato curry), rabri (thick sweet milk), and lassi (yogurt drink – famous ones come in earthen glasses topped with malai cream)SRC- Foodaholix. Sweets like balushahi and jalebi are famous, often sold at small shops near Godaulia and Chowk. Temple prasadam (offerings) like channa dal and kheer at Sankat Mochan or Kashi Vishwanath Temple are also popular. Stick to bottled water and curbside food stalls if hygiene is a concern.
• Shopping: Varanasi is ideal for buying textiles and handicrafts. The city’s famous Banarasi sarees are a top purchase – look for real silk brocades with zari work. UNESCO notes Banaras’s weaving heritage, with many craft clusters in the city. Shop in areas like Vishwanath Gali, Chowk, and Thatheri Bazaar for sarees, dress materials, shawls, and carpets. Other souvenirs include wooden toys, glass bangles, brassware, and locally made perfumes (attar). Bargaining is common, but beware of expensive “tourist” shops – reputable stores have fixed rates.
• Local experiences: Plan a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges (around 5:30–6:30 AM) to see pilgrims and rituals. Attend the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat (around sunset) for a spiritual spectacle. Walk the narrow lanes of the old city (the galiyan) to see temples, shops, and life up close. Visiting Sarnath in the afternoon is relaxing, as it’s greener and cooler. If interested, watch a classical music concert or take a yoga class at one of the many ashrams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Varanasi is a city of contrasts: ancient yet evolving, crowded yet profoundly serene along the river. For Indian travelers, it offers a deep dive into spirituality and culture. By planning well—timing your visit, booking a good hotel, and following basic safety and scam tips—you can fully enjoy Kashi’s unique heritage and hospitality.

Author- Ayush