Varanasi Tour Packages

Varanasi: Realise The Supreme Power Of Divinity

Varanasi, Benaras or Kashi, is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Located in the populated state of Uttar Pradesh, this sacred city is of supreme importance in spirituality and pilgrimage. A Varanasi tour package will unfold the magnificence of this historical place. Steeped in high thinking, philosophies, beliefs and art, Varanasi has a unique culture of devotion. It has also been the cradle of education and ancient religions.

A Varanasi trip package will reveal the history of the place evident in its various monuments. Sarnath, the area 10 km away from Varanasi, is famous for being the preaching ground of The Buddha. Visit all the blessed places of the city with a Varanasi tour package. Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the prime attraction of the Varanasi tour package. This temple has Lord Shiva as the chief deity. This site is centuries old, but the present temple was constructed under the supervision of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. The temple near the Durga Ghat (river bank) houses the Ashtabhujadhari deity. The numerous ghats or cemented banks have different religious significance. Gyan Vapi Kup, Ramgarh Fort, St Mary’s Church, Tulsi Manas Temple and Bharat Mata Temple are some of the other noteworthy places to visit on a Varanasi package tour.

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Important Information

Transport

Being easily city, Varanasi offers multiple options for tourists booking a Varanasi tour package. Varanasi falls on NH 19 and is connected to all important cities of Uttar Pradesh and other states. State transport buses and long-distance private buses are easily available for Varanasi. Equally well-connected by railway lines, Varanasi has many stations and junctions to receive trains from all over India – Varanasi Junction, Varanasi City, Manduadih, Kashi station, Sarnath station, Bhulanpur station and many more. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Babatpur is the nearest airport to Varanasi. Customise your Varanasi tour package to suit your travel options. If booking Varanasi tour packages from Bangalore, you can avail a direct flight to the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.

Timings

Check on temple visit timings and other sightseeing with the operator of your Varanasi tour package. Most temples in Varanasi open for ‘darshan’ at 5:30 AM. Some others, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Birla Temple, Sankatha Temple, Durga Temple, Vishalakshi temple, Vyasa Temple and Tilbhandeshwar Temple, open at 4:00 AM. Most temples close for the night at 9:00 PM. Kashi Vishwanath Temple closes at 10:00 PM and Sankatha Temple and Markandeya Mahadev Temple close at 11:00 PM. All temples have a midday closure. Keep the timings in mind while planning your Varanasi tour package.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to avail a Varanasi tour package is during the wintertime. The days are cool though some nights may be very cold at 4-5 degrees temperature. If you are booking a Varanasi tour package from Chennai, get ready to face the very cold weather. Summertime in Varanasi has hot dry weather with the temperature rising to 45 degrees and ‘loo’ (hot dry winds) blowing. If you book your Varanasi tour package during this off-season, you will encounter less crowd and may avail some discounts. Monsoons bring heavy rains and humidity. Sometimes the cruises on the Ganga River may be stopped but this holds the holy Shravan month – an auspicious time for Shiva devotees.

Dress Code

Plan your clothing along with booking of Varanasi tour package. Since it is a holy city, everyone is expected to be dressed in decent attire. Make sure your body is covered from neck to calf-length (or up to the ankles, preferably). There is no strict dress code, but traditional attire is a preference. Those visiting the temples can wear dhoti-kurta (for men) and saree (for women).

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Things to Keep in Mind While you are in Varanasi

When you are availing Varanasi tour package to visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, be prepared for frisking and checking by police personnel. For security reasons, mobile phones, cameras, cigarettes, lighters and belts with metal buckles are not allowed inside the premises. Remember to keep your documents and belongings safe. Do not click pictures of any rituals and cremations. Treat all animals with respect and avoid any encounters with them, particularly cows and bulls. They are treated with reverence. Pre-arrange for accommodation, commute, visits and trips along with the Varanasi tour package to enjoy a hassle-free trip.

Places to Visit

Sarnath

About 10 km away from Varanasi is Sarnath, where The Buddha preached his first sermon. Believers and devotees from all over the world visit Sarnath for its religious significance. You can visit the Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, Sarnath Museum, Sarnath Archeological site and Mahabodhi Society Temple. Check with your tour operator whether your Varanasi tour package includes Sarnath.

Allahabad

A two- and half-hour drive on NH 19 will take you to Allahabad or Prayagraj, about 120 km away. The Triveni Sangam is the biggest draw here. If you can extend your Varanasi tour package to involve Prayagraj, you can admire the Allahabad Fort, Allahabad Pillar, Allahabad Museum, Khusro Bagh, Anand Bhawan and New Yamuna Bridge.

Gaya

Time allowing on your Varanasi tour package, you can travel further on NH 19 and NH 31 to reach Gaya almost 298 km away. This holy city on the banks of Falgu River in Bihar is a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Buddha achieved his enlightenment under the now famous Bodhi tree. You can visit the Mahabodhi Temple which is a World Heritage Site. You will find many temples here like Vishnupad Temple, Mangala Gauri Temple and Maata Bagala Asthan Temple. This destination has been important for generations of Hindu families for the ritual of ‘Pind Daan’ of the departed family members.

Food & More

Relish simple temple meals during your Varanasi tour package. The Annapurna Temple Trust serves free meals for devotees from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. The unlimited meal consists of rice, sambar, two types of vegetable preparations, yoghurt, pickle and poppadum. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is planning to serve lunch to devotees soon while ‘The Shiva Rasoi’ kitchen has been inaugurated to serve free meals to 150 devotees daily. Enjoy the many famous food items of the city with a Varanasi tour package.

Malaiyo - This is a winter street dessert, and you can only find it during cold winter mornings. ‘Malaiyo’ is sweetened milk froth that is flavoured with saffron and cardamom, garnished with almonds and pistachios and left to condense overnight in the cold dew. You must taste this melt-in-mouth dish when enjoying the Varanasi tour package.

Chena Dahi Vada - This unique sweet, sour and spicy dish is a must-try while on a Varanasi tour package. The cheese balls of ‘rasmalai’ are served with sweet yoghurt and garnished with spices, chilli powder and coriander leaves.

Tamatar chaat - This unusual dish is available only in Varanasi. All the chaat spices are mixed with chopped tomatoes and boiled potatoes. An extraordinary twist to the potato chaat, it is a savoury dish to spice up your day. Take advantage of your Varanasi tour package to sample ‘Tamatar chaat’.

Choora matar - A different take on the Indian breakfast dish of ‘poha’, ‘Choora matar’ adds fresh green peas, raisins, saffron and cream to the tempered ‘chivda/choora’ (flattened rice). Enliven your Varanasi tour package with this street food.

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Things to Buy in Varanasi

You must carry back your pilgrimage experience from your Varanasi tour package. Buy souvenirs that make the holy city unforgettable for you. You can buy stone or crystal Shivalingam to place in your home. Consider buying a chain of good quality ‘Rudraksha beads’. You may ask experts to point out the one that is ideal for you. You may want to buy musical instruments from this ‘city of music’. You can also buy authentic Banarasi silk sarees. Hand-knotted carpets are another great option for gifts for family and friends. Do not conclude your Varanasi package without buying some of the famous sweets of Varanasi.