Varanasi has many things to offer to a tourist. Temples, Historical sites, Street foods, Apparel, etc. there are many things which you can experience in this magical city.

Below are some of the interesting activities in which you can indulge, while you are on your Varanasi tour.

Walk along the Ghats – Walk around the Ghats of Varanasi where most of the spiritual activities take place. Many pilgrims from all other parts of India visit these Ghats in Varanasi as according to Hindu beliefs, by just taking a holy dip in the water of river Ganga, all the sins are washed away. Sunrise is considered as the best time to take a dip in river Ganga. However, the rituals are done all through the day in these ghats and temples along the ghats.

The famous and important ghat of Varanasi is the Dashashwamedh Ghat where the interesting rituals and activities take place throughout the day. Other prominent ghats of Varanasi – Assi Ghat, Hanuman Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Kedar Ghat, etc. are also interesting ones to visit.

Evening Ganga Aarti – Evening Aarti is one of the routine rituals that takes place every evening just after the sunset. During this event, a huge crowd of pilgrims and tourists gathers at Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the prayer. The prayer is led by Hindu priests who offer their regards to River Ganga and Lord Shiva by using a small fire standee, chanting mantras and music.

Street Food of Varanasi – One should not miss the street food of Varanasi when visiting this magical city. There are some popular street snacks in Varanasi that you must try when visiting this city.

Chhena Dahi Vada – fresh curd cheese balls dipped in sweet yogurt with chutney.

Malaiyyo – Winter street dessert, basically milk froth flavored with cardamoms, saffron, pistachios, and almonds.

Kachori Sabzi – A crispy deep-fried patty stuffed with lentils that are savored with aloo (potato) curry.

Dahi Chutney Gol Gappe – Small deep-fried light balls (made of Semolina or Wheat) filled with Yogurt, Chutney, and Spices.

Thandai – Banarasi Thandai is widely famous and is made from a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, cardamom, saffron, milk, and sugar.

Ramnagar Fort and Museum – Ramnagar Fort is located on the eastern bank of the Ganga river and was built during the 17th century. The museum here is the center of attraction which has some interesting displays. There are vintage cars from America, jewel-coated chairs, a weaponry section, unusual astrological clock, etc. There is Vyas Temple nearby, which is considered as a beautiful place to watch the sunset over the river.

Banaras Hindu University – BHU or Banaras Hindu University is one of the prominent educational establishments in India. Many great freedom fighters and nation builders have been a part of BHU. The buildings of the campus were built in the Indo-Gothic architectural style. The main attractions inside the campus are Bharat Kala Bhavan, a museum for ancient Artifacts, statues, woodworks, and others; Shri Vishwanath Temple, consisting of seven different shrines built in the 20th century; and Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Library, the largest library in the university with more than 13 million books.

Sarnath – No trip to Varanasi is complete without visiting Sarnath. It is one of the main attractions that you shouldn’t skip. The place is only ten kilometers from Varanasi and is a very important pilgrimage for Buddhists. It is considered to be the place where Gautama Buddha first taught the teachings of Dharma after his enlightenment. The best places to visit in Sarnath are:

• Dhamekh Stupa – A massive 43.6-meter tall cylindrical building standing on a place where Buddha first taught Dharma after receiving Bodhisattva.
• Chaukhandi Stupa – Another Buddhist Stupa that marks the exact location where Lord Buddha met his first disciples.
• Archeological Museum – The museum showcasing many artifacts and manuscripts related to Buddhism. It also houses the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka which is also a national emblem of India.