Varanasi is not just a destination; it is an awakening of your inner self. Known as the oldest living city in the world, Varanasi (also called Kashi or Benares) is an intoxicating mix of chanting priests, smoky ghats, holy cows, tangled alleys, and mystic energy. The city is loud, sacred, chaotic, graceful, and, somehow, always deeply personal. You do not see Varanasi, experience the vibes. You live it. And if you are open enough, it might just leave a mark on your soul. Here are 10 unforgettable experiences you can only have in Varanasi—ones that will stay with you long after your clothes stop smelling like incense and river air.
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Must Do Things to do in Varanasi
- Watching the Sunrise from a Boat on the Ganges
This is the moment.
Hire a boat from Assi Ghat or Dashashwamedh Ghat early—like “Why am I awake?” early. As the sun rises, the ghats slowly come to life. People bathe in the holy river, chants echo across the water, and the mist clears to reveal a city that feels like it was born before time. It’s hauntingly peaceful. And deeply human. Find Best Ghats of Varanasi to enjoy the amazing evening and morning views.
- Witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
By 6:30 PM, the steps of Dashashwamedh Ghat turn into a spiritual stage. Priests in saffron robes perform the Ganga Aarti, a ritual offering fire and chants to the river.
There are bells. Lamps. Music. Smoke. Devotees. Tourists. Even the wind feels coordinated.
Whether you are religious or not, it moves you. It’s less of a performance and more of a collective surrender.
Pro Tip: Get there by 5:30 to find a good seat, or watch it from a boat on the river for a magical view.
- Observing Life and Death at Manikarnika Ghat
This is not a tourist stop. It is a lesson in acceptance.
Manikarnika Ghat is one of the main cremations ghats in Varanasi, and cremations happen here 24/7—because moksha (liberation from rebirth) is said to be guaranteed if you die in Kashi.
People often feel uncomfortable visiting this ghat, but it is not about morbidity. It is about watching the cycle of life as it is, raw and unfiltered.
No photography. Just presence. And respect.
- Visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This is the spiritual nucleus of Varanasi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas and arguably the most sacred Shiva temple in the country.
It is divine to have darshan at the sacred idol and explore the newly developed corridor. It may be crowded and Chaotic but divine. You will feel it in your chest, somewhere between the bells and the bhajans.
- Sipping Chai at a Ghat While Doing Nothing
Sometimes, doing nothing is the best thing to do in Varanasi.
Grab a kulhad of hot, sweet chai from a local vendor, sit on the steps of Assi Ghat or Rana Mahal Ghat, and just… watch.
People come to bathe. Sadhus stroll by. Musicians tune their sitars. Monkeys yell at pigeons. Life unfolds in strange harmony.
You will be amazed how therapeutic this aimless moment becomes.
- Exploring the Alleyways of Old Varanasi
Lose yourself—literally—in the winding, narrow lanes behind the ghats. These alleys are a maze of tiny shrines, street food stalls, hidden ashrams, silk shops, and murals of gods that peer at you from crumbling walls.
Google Maps? Useless. Your best guide? A sense of curiosity and a low tolerance for scooters coming at you head-on.
- Attending Subah-e-Banaras (Morning Cultural Program)
Not many travellers know about this, but Subah-e-Banaras is a daily early morning cultural experience held at Assi Ghat. It starts around 5:00 AM and includes live classical music, Vedic chanting, yoga sessions, and spiritual talks—all under the rising sun. It is wholesome, peaceful, and free. You have not really felt Varanasi until you have heard a flute drifting through morning fog.
- Eating Street Food That Will Wreck Your Diet and Change Your Life
If you are in Varanasi and still deprived of famous street food and delicacies, you’re doing it wrong.
- Kachori-sabzi for breakfast
- Tamatar chaat at Kashi Chat Bhandar
- Banarasi paan for dessert (not optional)
- Lassi served in earthen pots
- And thandai with or without bhang (don’t say I didn’t warn you)
Food here isn’t just tasty—it’s part of the spiritual ecosystem.
- Shopping for Banarasi Sarees and Spiritual Trinkets
You will find exquisite Banarasi silk sarees, hand-woven by local artisans, and hundreds of tiny stores selling rudraksha beads, brass idols, incense sticks, and hand-painted miniatures.
Start at Godowlia Market, and prepare to haggle (it’s expected). Even if you don’t buy much, it’s a joy just walking through the madness.
Bonus: The wooden toy market is a hidden gem if you look hard enough.
- Spending Time in a Local Ashram or Meditation Space
If you’re staying for more than a day, consider spending time in one of Varanasi’s many ashrams, spiritual centers, or yoga schools.
Places like the Kaivalya Dham Ashram, ISKCON, and smaller centers offer morning meditation sessions, spiritual discourses, and peaceful vibes far from the noisy ghats.
You don’t need to shave your head or give up Wi-Fi. Just come with an open mind.
Final Thoughts
Varanasi does not care what you expect from it. It is not a city built for convenience or comfort. It is built for clarity, for feeling, for letting go. And that is what makes it unforgettable. You will leave with dusty shoes, overloaded senses, and possibly a tiny brass Shiva in your backpack—but more importantly, you will leave with a version of yourself you did not know you needed to meet. To book a Varanasi trip from Delhi NCR, book a Tempo Traveller 12 Seater to travel with 10-12 persons comfortably.
So, go. Let the river show you what it means to just be.
