Explore Banaras
Places to visit in Varanasi (Banaras)
Temples, ghats and history, each with the best time to go, so you see more in less time.
TempleKashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The new corridor now gives a straight, wide path from the temple down to the Ganga.
- Timings: Roughly 3 AM to 11 PM (starts with Mangla Aarti)
- Entry: General darshan free; Sugam darshan and aartis are ticketed
GhatDashashwamedh Ghat
The most famous ghat for the evening Ganga Aarti. Arrive well before the aarti to get a good spot.
- Timings: Open all day; Ganga Aarti around 6 PM in winter (Oct–Mar) and 6:45 PM in summer, about 45 minutes long
- Entry: Free (boat rides are paid)
GhatAssi Ghat
Subah-e-Banaras, yoga and kulhad chai. The calmest mornings in the city are found here.
- Timings: Subah-e-Banaras starts around 5 AM (earlier in summer)
- Entry: Free
GhatManikarnika Ghat
Kashi's great cremation ground. Please avoid taking photos and stay respectful.
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Entry: Free
TempleSankat Mochan Temple
An ancient Hanuman temple linked to Tulsidas. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the busiest.
- Timings: Roughly 5 AM to 10 PM (closed briefly in the afternoon)
- Entry: Free
TempleKaal Bhairav Temple
The 'Kotwal' (guardian) of Kashi. It's believed a Banaras trip is incomplete without his darshan.
- Timings: Roughly 5 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Entry: Free
HeritageSarnath
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Keep half a day for the Dhamek Stupa and the museum.
- Timings: Sunrise to sunset; the museum is closed on Fridays
- Entry: ASI ticket for the stupa site: about ₹25 for Indians and ₹300 for foreigners (a little less online); free for children under 15. The museum has a separate small ticket
HeritageRamnagar Fort
The Kashi Naresh's fort across the Ganga, with a museum of vintage cars and old weapons.
- Timings: Roughly 10 AM to 5 PM
- Entry: Small ticket for the museum
TempleAnnapurna Temple
The temple of Mata Annapurna, the goddess of food, who is believed to feed every soul in Kashi.
- Timings: Roughly 4 AM to 11 PM (closed briefly in the afternoon)
- Entry: Free
TempleDurga Kund Temple
A striking red temple of Goddess Durga beside a large sacred pond, especially lively during Navratri.
- Timings: Roughly 5 AM to 10 PM
- Entry: Free
TempleTulsi Manas Mandir
A white marble temple of Lord Ram whose walls are engraved with the entire Ramcharitmanas.
- Timings: Roughly 5:30 AM to 12 PM and 3:30 PM to 9 PM
- Entry: Free
TempleNew Vishwanath Temple (BHU)
A grand marble Shiva temple in the BHU campus with one of the tallest temple spires in India, open to all.
- Timings: Roughly 4 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 9 PM
- Entry: Free
GhatNamo Ghat
The newly developed ghat with giant 'Namaste' sculptures, open spaces and a view of the Malviya Bridge.
- Timings: Open all day; best around sunset
- Entry: Free