Three Days in Varanasi: A First-Timer's Itinerary of Ghats, Temples, Sarnath and Banarasi Flavours
Varanasi, known to its people as Kashi and Banaras, is often called the oldest living city in the world. For a first-time traveller the sheer number of ghats, temples and lanes can feel overwhelming, but a well-planned three-day itinerary lets you experience the spiritual heart of the city without rushing. Begin the first morning with a holy dip at Panchganga Ghat, followed by darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the nearby Kaal Bhairav Temple, revered as the guardian deity of the city. From there, walk to the Mahamrityunjay Temple and the leaning Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple before reaching Manikarnika Ghat. As dusk falls, settle in at Dashashwamedh Ghat for the Ganga Aarti, the city's most famous evening ritual, and then explore the food lanes for kachori-sabzi, tamatar chaat and a glass of thandai. Day two belongs to the southern stretch of the river. Assi Ghat hosts the Subah-e-Banaras morning aarti, after which a sunrise boat ride offers the classic panorama of the crescent-shaped riverfront. Across the water, the sandbanks invite camel rides and quiet walks. In the afternoon, visit Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, the New Vishwanath Temple inside the leafy Banaras Hindu University campus, and the unusual Bharat Mata Temple with its relief map of undivided India. On the third day, cross the Ganga to Ramnagar Fort, the riverside seat of the Kashi Naresh, and then drive to Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. The Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, the Thai and Japanese temples and the Digambar Jain temple are all within easy reach. The Sarnath Museum, home to the Lion Capital of Ashoka, deserves at least an hour. Three days will never exhaust Varanasi, but this route touches its ghats, its guardian deities, its Buddhist heritage and its kitchens, leaving every visitor with a reason to return.
Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources:
