We visited Varanasi as part of a package tour of Northern India. We had heard lots about it before we went, but experiencing it first hand was much more than we imagined it to be.
The Ganges is the holiest river in India and runs through Varanasi. It is believed that a dip in the river purifies the sins of the living and ensures the salvation of the dead. A bath in the Ganges has sacred and cultural connotations that go back centuries. Early morning is seen as the best time for bathing in the holy water, as the first rays of the sun break through the clouds.
Most of the tourists head down for the river before dawn. Your senses are immediately assaulted by a wide variety of sights, sounds and smells. A boat trip on the Ganges at dawn is an unforgettable experience. Not only do you see the bathers, but you experience the sounds of bells ringing and prayers being offered. It also attracts a large number of beggars.
You will also undoubtedly come across a funeral procession or witness a cremation on the banks of the Ganges. Many Hindus aspire to die in Varanasi as this transcends the cycle of birth and death.
Varanasi is naturally a city of temples, with myths and legends connected to every shrine. There is also a labyrinth of lanes which constitute the heart of this ancient city. These lanes are so narrow and dense that the sun’s rays cannot penetrate them. You can only explore them on foot, but you need to be aware of bulls which are considered sacred and roam freely through the city.
Although Varanasi is firmly on the tourist trail, it is still unspoilt, and shows the spiritual side of Indian life. If you visit Varanasi you MUST see it at dawn, but I also recommend you allow plenty of time to explore the lanes and temples.
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Sightseeing
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