10 Things You Can Do In Varanasi To Calm Your Inner Self

varanasi-cover-image

Varanasi, famously known as the city of Gods, city of lights and the city of death. It’s also called as “Shiv ki Nagri” and is known as one of the holiest places on earth. People wish to die here to attain moksha from the life cycle. This city is located on the banks of river Ganga and has many ghats that are used for different purposes. One can simply get lost in the beautiful streets of Varanasi and sink deep in the positive aura.

Check out the list of things you can do in one of the  holiest cities of India.

1. Visit Dasaswamedh Ghat. It is one of the main ghats in Varanasi, that you should definitely not miss

1st-dasaswath-ghat
Image source

Dasaswamedh literally means the ghat (river front). It is a beautiful ghat that gives a scenic view of the river and all the sadhu’s performing religious rites.

 

2. Next up is the Burning ghats. Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats, the former is reserved for Hindus while the latter is open to all religions

2nd-buring-ghats
Image source

These ghats are located in the heart of this city and shows the importance of death. It is said that cremation of demise done on these ghats lets them attain moksha.

 

3. After the above two ghats, next ones are Asi and Kedar ghats that you must visit. These ghats are less crowded and more peaceful compared to any other ghats

3rd-assi-ghat
Image source

Kedar ghat provides a beautiful full view of river Ganga and Asi is the perfect ghat for meditation that is easily reachable from BHU (Banaras Hindu University).

 

4. After a nice peaceful time at the ghats, take a boat ride. A boat ride on the river Ganga, though sounds less romantic, but is definitely spiritual

4th-boat-rides
Image source

A quiet peaceful boat ride is a must when you visit Varanasi.

 

5.  One of the must do things in Varanasi is to attend the night pooja. It’s a complete visual treat that starts at around 6 in the evening

5th-night-pooja
Image source

You can either stand on the steps or hop on a boat and view this beautiful pooja.

 

6. Wander in the ancient alleys and streets of Varanasi. This is the perfect way to know the city of God and the locals

6th-alleys-of-varanasi
Image source

It will be great fun to explore the tiny lanes and have unique mini adventures.

 

7. If you’re visiting this place during or just after the rainy season, then you must watch the frog wedding

7th-frog-marriage
Image source

Yes, you read it right. The mystery is, no one knows why the frogs are married off to each other, but soon after their “wedding” they are set free in the water.

 

8. Make your stomach happy. Visit the Kachori wali galli and enjoy some hot kachoris and jalebis.The street was full of kachori walas in the past hence, the name

8th-kachori
Image source

Go to Babu Lal Kachori wala and enjoy some hot kachoris with thick vegetable and jalebis. This is an absolute must have that you simply can’t afford to miss.

 

9. If you visit Varanasi and don’t eat Banarasi Paan, then your trip is half wasted. After a delicious Kachori meal (or any other meal), a banarasi paan is a must

9th-banarasi-paan-in-banaras
Image source

Go to Keshav Pan Bhandar and relish on some delicious paan. This paan shop is located near Sankat Mochan Mandir.

 

10. Try to meet Dom Raja. If you are lucky, you will get a chance to meet this man who is not easily found

9th-banarasi-paan
Image source

They say he’s an interesting man to talk to and also the man who gives fire to dead bodies on the ghat.

These are some interesting things you must definitely do on your trip to Varanasi. Take a dip in the water and free yourself from all the sins or take sitar classes and get inspired by the Indian classical music just the way Beatles did. Or simply enjoy the holy chants of night pooja with a beautiful view of the river Ganga under the night sky.

“Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together” – Mark Twain

Cover Image Source

📣 Storypick is now on Telegram! Click here to join our channel (@storypick) and never miss another great story.