Kashi (Varanasi)
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh, and the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth.
About this yatra
Kashi — also called Varanasi or Banaras — is one of the seven Mokshadayini Sapta Puris and the spiritual capital of India. Continuously inhabited for over 3,500 years, it is sacred for being the abode of Lord Shiva as Kashi Vishwanath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Hindus believe that dying in Kashi grants liberation (moksha) directly, bypassing further rebirth — which is why the city has the world's oldest hospice, Mukti Bhavan, and continuous cremation grounds at Manikarnika Ghat for over 3,000 years. The reconstructed Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (inaugurated December 2021) connects the temple directly to the Ganga at Lalita Ghat for the first time in 250 years, accommodating 50,000 devotees daily. The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat — performed by seven young priests synchronously with conch shells, brass lamps and chanting — is one of the most spiritually moving sights anyone can witness. Sunrise boat rides along the 84 ghats, visiting Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir, the BHU campus and Sarnath (where the Buddha gave his first sermon, 10 km away) round out a complete Kashi visit. Most pilgrims also include Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam, 130 km) and the new Ram Mandir at Ayodhya (200 km) in their itinerary.
Best time to visit
October to March. Dev Deepawali (Nov full moon) and Mahashivratri (Feb-Mar) are spectacular but heavily crowded.
How to reach
Fly to Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS), 25 km from city. Multiple daily trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata to Varanasi Junction (BSB) or Banaras (BSBS).
What to expect
Sunrise boat ride along the ghats, Vishwanath Corridor darshan (1-2 hr queue), evening Ganga Aarti, Manikarnika cremation ghats viewing, day trip to Sarnath.