Varanasi popularly called as Kashi or Banaras is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world that attracts a huge influx of travelers year after year. This prominent religious and cultural hub in Uttar Pradesh is nicely connected to other major cities of the country with a good network of buses, trains, and flights. However, the city of Varanasi has incredible transit connectivity with almost every major city of the nation via all modes of transport.
Varanasi Airport, popularly called as Lal Bahadur Shashtri is very well connected with several prominent Indian cities. Kashi Railway Station and Varanasi Railway Station are the two major railway stations established in this city. Moreover, there are regular and frequent buses running from Varanasi to different nearby cities including Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, and Gorakhpur. Reaching Varanasi by opting for railway mode is considered to be the most convenient and easiest way.
How to Reach Varanasi – By Train, Bus, Car and Air
Reaching Varanasi by Flight
The city has its own airport namely Lal Bahadur Shashtri Airport earlier called as Varanasi Airport connects the city with several other big cities of India. There are several domestic as well as international flights operate from the airport. After your flight lands collect your baggage and then come out of the airport to hire a taxi or cab to reach your desired destination.
Reaching Varanasi by Train
Varanasi has its own railway station that connects several major cities of the country with this cultural capital of India. Varanasi Railway Station is one of the busiest railheads in the state where on reaching you can easily hire a taxi or cab to reach your desired destinations. Having a vast Indian rail network, the destination is conveniently accessible from almost every nooks and corners of the nation. Hence, there is nothing wrong to say that opting for train is the perfect way to cover the distance.
Reaching Varanasi Through Roadways
Those who are traveling to Varanasi from the nearby cities shall opt for roadway as there are both private as well as government buses running between the cities including Allahabad, Lucknow, Patna, Gorakhpur, and Ranchi. However, it may be little tiring to cover the distance by bus but now AC buses are available in which you can avail the facility of sleeper seats.
The well-maintained roads and well-paved national highways make it easy and smooth for you to drive yourself to this divine city in Uttar Pradesh.
Places to visit in and around Varanasi
Excited to spend the most of your time in “The City of Light”? If yes, then keep scrolling down the page to check out the list of most happening places to explore in Varanasi.
Dasaswamedh Ghat
The lively and the serene atmosphere of the Dasaswamedh Ghat make it one of the most visited destinations in the city. This hugely crowded travel site is a swirling hodgepodge of sadhus (with painted face), boat operators providing rides along River Ganges, and the flower vendors selling colorful and bright blossoming flowers. Evening Ganga Arti is the star attraction of the site that gathers thousands of devotees enchanting the spiritual prayers.
Useful Tip: If you want to score a nice place for the show and seeking to avoid the crowds then reach the ghat at least 2 hours before.
Assi Ghat
Feeling a bit exhausted from traveling? Stroll around the magnificent Assi Ghat at sunrise, when you can see many people enjoying doing morning meditation, accompanied by soul-soothing music every morning. Travelers can enjoy Ganga Arti ceremony at Assi Ghat also which is however smaller yet more intimate than the one that is organized at Dasaswamedh Ghat.
Shiva Lingam (the phallic representation of the Supreme deity of Hindus) beneath a spiritual fig tree happens to be the star attraction of this site.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Visiting Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is believed to be one of the most acclaimed and cherished dreams of almost each Hindu devout. The devotees never fail to travel for hundreds of kilometers to do the philosophy of Lord Shiva and to seek his blessing for lifelong prosperity and wealth. The pilgrimage is also called as “The Golden Temple” for its striking golden spire, plated with 800 kg of pure gold.
The distinctive design of the temple has inspired the architecture of many other temples built across the nation. You are not allowed to carry any of the electronic gadgets inside the temple due to the security purpose and the travelers have to submit their belongings in a rentable locker.
Useful Tip: Try avoiding visit the temple on Hindu holidays or else you might end up standing in a queue and waiting for your turn for up to 2 full days.
Banaras Hindu University
Established in 1916, Banaras Hindu University is a well-respected government education institution in which more than 25,000 students take admission and complete their higher studies. Spread over a huge area of land which is around 1300 acres makes it one of the largest residential universities in Asia.
On entering the campus you also get to see New Vishwanath Temple that has finally completed its decades-old construction in 1966. This 77-meter-high temple happens to be one of the tallest pilgrimages in India that draws tourists in a good number.
There are several other famous and wonderful places to discover in and around the city on your Varanasi tour and we will compile the other travel sites in next posts. Hence, if you like this post and excited to read a few other articles related to you travel plans then do follow us and share this post with your loved ones. Do write your valuable suggestion in the comment box below.
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