🏛️ Culture in Varanasi

The southernmost of the main ghats, where the small Assi river meets the Ganges, with a more relaxed, residential feel than the central ghats. It's home to the Subah-e-Banaras sunrise programme and a smaller evening aarti, surrounded by cafés, guesthouses and bookshops. From here you can walk north along the ghats to Dashashwamedh in under an hour.

📍Assi Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India

One of Asia's largest residential universities, founded in 1916, with a huge leafy campus south of the old city. At its heart is the New Vishwanath Temple, a tall white-marble temple built by the Birla family and open to people of all faiths. The campus is a calm contrast to the ghats, and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum is worth a look.

📍Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India

Varanasi is famous for Banarasi silk, woven on handlooms in neighbourhoods such as Madanpura and Peeli Kothi, where you can hear the clack of looms from open doorways. Some weaving families welcome visitors to watch the intricate brocade work. Be wary of touts steering you to shops for commission — a guided heritage walk is the easiest way in.

📍Madanpura, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India

Varanasi's main and busiest ghat, close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Every evening at sunset, priests perform the Ganga Aarti with large brass lamps, bells and chanting, watched by crowds on the steps and from boats on the river. Arrive at least 30 minutes early for a spot on the steps, or watch from a boat for a less crowded view.

📍Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India

One of the holiest Hindu temples, dedicated to Shiva as one of the twelve jyotirlingas, with gold-plated spires. Since 2021 the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor has linked it directly to the ghats. Security is strict: phones, bags and cameras usually have to go in lockers, and queues can be long. Dress modestly; foreign visitors can enter.

📍Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India

Varanasi's principal cremation ghat, where cremations take place day and night, as dying and being cremated here is believed to bring liberation. Visitors may watch quietly from a respectful distance, but photographing cremations isn't allowed. Beware of self-appointed 'guides' asking for money for wood — it's a well-known scam.

📍Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India

An 18th-century sandstone fort on the east bank of the Ganges, about 14km south of the old city and still the residence of the former royal family of Banaras. Part of it is a faded but fascinating museum of vintage cars, palanquins, weapons and an astronomical clock. It's reached by road across the river; go in the afternoon.

📍Ramnagar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221008, India

About 10km north-east of Varanasi, the deer park where the Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. See the huge Dhamek Stupa, temple ruins and monasteries built by Buddhist countries; the archaeological museum holds the Lion Capital of Ashoka, India's national emblem, and is closed on Fridays. A peaceful half-day trip from the ghats.

📍Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007, India