From BHU's Green Campus to Banarasi Paan: A Street Food Journey Through Varanasi

Beyond its ghats and temples, Varanasi hides another world of discovery on the sprawling campus of Banaras Hindu University. Founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, BHU is among the largest residential universities in Asia, its tree-lined avenues stretching across more than a thousand acres. At its heart stands the serene marble Vishwanath Temple, a calm counterpoint to the busy city outside. A walk through the campus is as much about food as architecture. Around BHU and the lanes of Lanka, the morning begins with kachori-sabzi and crisp jalebi, a hearty breakfast that fuels students and visitors alike. Steaming samosas, served with tangy chutney, are never far away. For those with a sweet tooth, the laung lata — a flaky pastry stuffed with khoya and dry fruits and sealed with a single clove — is a Banarasi classic that few can resist. Seasonal treats such as chena dahi vada and the legendary winter malaiyo add to the city's reputation as a paradise for food lovers. No Banaras food journey ends without paan. The famous Banarasi paan, wrapped with gulkand, fennel and sweet fillings, is more than a digestive — it is a ritual, a flourish and a symbol of the city's unhurried hospitality. Together, BHU's calm campus and the surrounding street food scene reveal a gentler, everyday side of Kashi — one where learning, tradition and taste happily share the same lane.

Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources: Dhiraj dharo Vlog