Overview
About Varanasi (Kashi)
Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities and a major cultural and religious centre on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, India. It’s renowned for its ghats, temples, silk weaving, and spiritual atmosphere.
Population (city/metro approx): 1.2–1.5 million (estimates vary by source)
This section is a body-only template — drop into your site between your header and footer. Replace images and links before publishing.
- State: Uttar Pradesh
- Languages: Hindi, Bhojpuri, Urdu, English
- Best time to visit: October–March
History & Spiritual Significance
Varanasi has been a major religious hub for Hindus (and has significance to Buddhists and Jains). The city’s spiritual life centres around the Ganges ghats and ancient temples, especially the Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Top attractions
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the holiest Shiva temples in India, located near the old city and the Ganges. Pilgrims visit year-round for darshan and rituals.
Dashashwamedh Ghat & Ganga Aarti
The vibrant evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is a must-see — a moving ritual of lamps, chants, and prayers on the riverfront.
Sarnath (nearby)
A short drive from Varanasi, Sarnath is the site where the Buddha gave his first sermon; it contains stupas, ruins and a museum with ancient artifacts.
Manikarnika & Other Ghats
Manikarnika Ghat is among the most famous (and solemn) ghats; boat rides at dawn offer iconic views of the city waking up along the river.
Local Cuisine & Specialties
Varanasi’s food scene mixes street snacks and traditional sweets. Try Banarasi paan, kachori sabzi, tamatar chaat, lassi, and the city’s famous sweets like malaiyo (seasonal).
Street food
Explore alleys around the ghats and the old city for authentic chaat, samosas, and local snacks.
Where to eat
Areas like Chowk, Thatheri Bazaar and Cantonment host long-established eateries and sweet shops.
Getting there & around
Varanasi is served by Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) and by multiple major railway stations. Local transport includes auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, taxis and riverboats for ghat access.
Practical information
- Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
- Power: 230 V, 50 Hz (Type C/D/M plug variations)
- Best time: October–March for cooler weather and festivals
Local resources & contacts
Tour operators, boat guides and local temples can provide timings and festival schedules. Check local listings for up-to-date contacts.
The Complete Guide for Travelers in London
The foreign and commonwealth office draws up an extensive list of countries that should not be travelled to quite regularly and it is from that our, and other global travel insurance providers, underwriters decide which countries travel insurance should be provided for. We look at the government travel advice and not we can provide insurance to travellers.
Good to Know:
-
Country: United Kingdom
-
Visa Requirements: No
-
Languages spoken: English
-
Per Person: $2707
-
Area (km2): 750.63 km
-
City: London
The foreign office's travel advice is not to travel to the following countries, even if it means losing business the risk from the warzones listed below is just too great to make the reward worth the danger:
“Ei elit omnes impedit ius, vel et hinc agam fabulas. Ut audiamre iracundia vim. An sumo diam ea. Cu omnis. An sumo diam ea.”
ere's our top 10 countries to avoid travelling to, and the reasons for the high risk factor! The risk is far from conclusive (the foreign office's travel advice lists many more countries), but to me, these are the ones that all travellers should avoid like the plague:
Ai elit omnes lmpedit ius, tel et hinc agam fabulas. Ut audiam invenire iracundia vim. An eam dico similique ut sint posse sit, eum sumo diam ea. Liber consectetuer in mei, sea in imperdiet assueverit contentions cibo blandit tacimates. Iusto iudicabit similique idefinitionem eos an.Sit delicata persequeris ex, in sea rebum deseruisse appella ntur. Lorem ipsum dolor si vix aperiri consequat an.