Early morning is one of the best times of day to tour Varanasi, and this tour gives you a good reason to get out of bed at the crack of dawn. Most tours take visitors to the evening Ganga Aarti ritual, but this one takes you in the morning when the riverbanks are less crowded but still full of locals going about their daily life.
Starting the early morning at 5:00 am, the driver will pick you up from the hotel. You’ll now proceed to Assi Ghat, for a perfect start to the day, to attend the soul-stirring spectacle of Ganga Aarti (river worship ritual of the holy Ganges) at Assi Ghat. Sight the riverside lit up with earthen lamps, priests perform well-choreographed religious rituals and chant holy mantras with the chorus from the devotees and locals gathered there, the echo of the conch shell being played, aroma of fresh flowers and the burning incense sticks, all make for an unforgettable experience of Varanasi. After the Ganga Aarti, you’ll proceed for sightseeing of Varanasi on foot. A little ahead near Tulsi Ghat you’ll visit the Lolark Kund - a sacred pond and one of the most ancient sites present in Varanasi. Many come here to pray for a son/offspring by taking a dip in the waters at sunrise. Afterward, make an interesting visit to the Akhada (a traditional Indian wrestling joint). At the Akhada, watch wrestlers perform physical training using traditional tools of exercise or even watch them doing kushti (wrestling) on fresh mud pits. Next move towards Tulsi Ghat, one of the most important ghat in Varanasi, named after the great Hindu saint and poet Tulsi Das. Located close to the ghat, you’ll visit the Durga Kund (pool) located on the premises of the old 18th century Durga Temple also known as the Monkey Temple, owing to the presence of a large number of monkeys in its premises. Now reach Assi Ghat and walk down the stairs of the ghat to take a peaceful morning boat ride on the Ganges River. The boat ride is like a ferry pilgrimage, sailing from one ghat to the other, along the course of the Ganges. Observe the captivating morning activities unfold at sunrise on the banks of the river Ganges. Sight pilgrims bathing and offering prayers to the deities, holy men (sadhu and pandits) performing ancient rituals and more. Your boat ride ends at Dashashwamedha Ghat, one of the most prominent and liveliest ghats in Varanasi. The name Dashashwamedha indicates the sacrifice of ten horses, which was performed by Lord Brahma, as per Hindu myth. At Dashashwamedh Ghat you’ll take a rickshaw ride till PDR Mall Box Office at Luxa Road. After capturing wonderful memories for the day, the driver will drop you at the hotel.
Duration | : | 1 Day |
Starting price | : | 30 Per Person |
Route | : | Varanasi Varanasi |