Hotels in Varanasi

Varanasi: Sacred Ghats on the Ganges

Varanasi (also called Kashi or Benares) sits on the western bank of the Ganges River in the state of Uttar Pradesh, roughly 320 km east of Agra. One of the world's continuously inhabited cities — with settlement records going back to at least 1200 BCE — it draws Hindu pilgrims, Buddhist visitors, and international travelers to its 88 riverfront ghats. The Dashashwamedh Ghat hosts the Ganga Aarti ceremony every evening at dusk, when priests perform fire rituals attended by hundreds on steps and boats. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva, anchors the old city's warren of lanes called Vishwanath Gali.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster in three zones: Godowlia (central, walkable to ghats), Assi Ghat (quieter, favored by longer-stay travelers and students at Banaras Hindu University), and the Cantonment area near Varanasi Junction railway station. Ghat-facing guesthouses offer direct sunrise views over the river; rooms fill quickly from October through March.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) is 25 km from Dashashwamedh Ghat; Varanasi Junction connects to Delhi (8 hrs by Shiv Ganga Express) and Kolkata.
• Best season: October to March; monsoon (July–September) raises river levels significantly.
• Dress code: Cover shoulders and knees when entering temple precincts.
• Boat hire: Sunrise boat rides from Assi or Harishchandra Ghat cost roughly ₹200–₹500 per person; negotiate before boarding.