There are many things that make Varanasi the land of spirituality. We can start by calling it the oldest inhabited city in the world. Its mystic ambience starts from the first ray of the sun where the pilgrims pour tiny strain of water into the river till the sunsets and the Ganga Aarti at the bank is held. Although the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown, it is an abode to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. It is strongly believed that the cycle of birth comes to an end and one can attain salvation “Moksha” if they are cremated here. Varanasi evokes a religious notion that will urge you to dwell amid its mesmerising ghats, seek blessings at their many holy shrines and get wonderstruck exploring their narrow lanes and bustling markets. Varanasi has so much to do and see, it can get pretty overwhelming. So, in order to get the best out of this historic city, you can select some of the best-guided tours that will give you an insight into the roots of Varanasi.
Varanasi has tons of rich attractions that will baffle you by its historically rich architecture. But amongst the many, the ghats are of utter importance, some of the affluent ones are.
Dasaswamedh Ghat is where all the action happens. This is an important and religious ghat where Ganga Aarti takes place every evening. With a constant flow of pilgrims, getting a perfect place to see the ceremony can be a hassle. You can either watch the aarti from the boat or from the balcony of a hotel or a restaurant.
Assi Ghat is located at the southern end of Varanasi and it is not very crowded as compared to Dasaswamedh. However, this ghat is amongst the important ghats for the pilgrims to bathe and also for tourists as it has tons of interesting shops and many charming cafes.
Man Mandir Ghat is blessed with an exquisite Rajput architecture built in the 1600s. It provides a great photographic ambiance along with an expansive terrace from where you can get an uninterrupted view of the Ganges.
Manikarnika Ghat is an infamous ghat which is a burial ground for the deceased. It is believed that who so ever will be cremated here can gain moksha, meaning, breaking the cycle of rebirth. Hence, you see many Hindu come to Varanasi for their last rites.
