Itinerary

Day 1

Day 01: Arrival Varanasi : Transfer from your railway station / airport to your downtown hotel. Check-in with traditional arti , garlanding & tika cermemony.Post lunch commence your city tour with your guide.
Life in the city of Varanasi revolves around its over one hundred Ghats (river landings). The River Ganga flows from north to south, and the city forms a circular shape from the Asi ghat in the south up to the confluence of the Varuna river with the Ganga. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe and worship in the river at the first light of dawn.
A very important pilgrimage for the devout is the Panchatirtha Yatra, a tour covering the 5 important ghats of Asi, Dashashwamedha, Adi Keshava, Panchganga and Manikarnika.
Visit these Ghats.
Evening enjoy a boat ride on The Ganges at dusk through these Ghats & witness the arti on the banks of the Holy Ganges.
Later explore the colourful bazaars.Dinner & overnight at Varanasi.

Day 2

Day 02: Varanasi : At dawn enjoy another boat ride on the Holy Ganges.Post breakfast commence a temple tour of the city.
Visit the Vishwanath temple, one of India's most important Shaivite shrines. The original temple is said to have been over 1000 years old. The Gyan Vapi tank enclosed in a hall is said to contain the original shivalingam. Pilgrims offer prayers here before embarking on the Panchatirtha.
Next to the Vishwanath temple is the Annapurna temple, built in the 18th century by Peshwa Baji Rao I. The idol of Annapurna Bhavani (the provider of food), a benevolent form of Shakti is made in solid gold and carries a cooking pot. There is also a striking silver-faced image of Shani (Saturn) within the temple. Shani is feared for his destructive powers and is worshipped to prevent any ill from befalling the devout.

The Bharat Mata temple north-west of Godaulia is a modern shrine, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. It has a huge relief map of the Indian sub-continent showing all its rivers, mountains and pilgrimages. The 19th century Durga temple 4 kms from Godaulia is also popularly known as the ‘monkey temple' because of an overwhelming simian presence. The idol of Durga, a manifestation of Shakti is dressed in red and rides a tiger with the trident, the discus and a sword in her hands. The temple courtyard has a forked stake for sacrificing goats, and non-Hindus are allowed only up to this point.

Post lunch visit Sarnath.Lord Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath. Sightseeing at Sarnath covers the Buddhist temple, Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi stupa and the archaeological museum.

Evening is at lesiure to explore the city on cycle rickshaws.Dinner & overnight at Varanasi.

Day 3

Day 03: Departure post breakfast for onward destination.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation at a premium hotel with breakfast & all taxes, local guides, boat rides & entrances to all monuments plus all excursions by private vehicle

Extras -

Any other itemsnot listed as above