Varanasi offers a cultural and spiritual experience rooted in its long history. The city that is also called Banaras is one of the oldest known cities on Earth where humans has continued to live since ancient times. The top 10 places to visit in Varanasi reflect its cultural and spiritual aspects. You will need a properly planned Varanasi Travel Guide 2026 to fully explore Varanasi. Temples are the favorite of travelers who visit Varanasi. These temples are deeply religious places and are linked to Hindu mythology. Apart from the temples, you can visit Buddhist places, museums, forts and shopping places.
Why visit Varanasi
Varanasi is a city with religious vibes and a spiritual aura. Visit Varanasi to feel this spirituality and experience the power of devotion. The ghats are places where Hindu cremation rituals have been held for millennia, with origins in mythology. Those who die in Varanasi do not take birth again and are freed from the cycle of birth and death. The River Ganga flows through Varanasi, giving it a sacred status. Sit by the banks of the River Ganga in one of the ghats and feel the peace within you. Such is the unique quality of Varanasi.
Top 10 places to visit in Varanasi
There are many places to visit in Varanasi with family. These are the top 10 places to visit in Varanasi.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva chose Varanasi as the fist place to manifest himself in the form of a Jyotlrlinga or a pillar of light. The Ghurids and Mughals looted and ransacked Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the past. The people and government rebuilt the temple many times and has stood the test of time. Tourists also call the temple as the Golden Temple, and this is because of the golden shikhara or spire, which is coated with gold paint. Recently, the government developed the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and it connects the temple with the ghats of the river Ganga.
Dashashwamedh Ghat
In the list of 84 ghats in Varanasi, Dashashwamedh Ghat is a major ghat. This ghat is famous for its Kashi Vishwanath Ganga Aarti. People of Varanasi celebrate the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The name Dashashwamedh comes from the ancient Indian sacrifice called Ashwamedh Yagna. In this ritual, the priests sacrific ten horss, and thus the name Dashashwamedh. The ghat is located within walking distance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This is one of the main ghats where you can bathe in the Ganga and participate in prayers and aarti.
Sarnath
Sarnath is in the list of the top 10 places to visit in Varanasi. This is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site in India, and a must-visit in any of the Varanasi Tourism Packages. Dhamek Stupa is the major historical monument to visit in Sarnath. This stupa is a massive stupa and is built in the exact place where Gautam Buddha gave the first Buddhist sermon to a few disciples. There are many Buddhist monasteries and temples in Sarnath. The Sarnath Archaeological Museum is one of the oldest in the country, and has historical exhibits, sculptures, and artefacts.
Kaal Bhairav Temple
Out of the list of Hindu temples in Varanasi, Kaal Bhairav Temple is very famous. The temple deity is Kaal Bhairav, a ferocious and divine form of Lord Shiva. Moreover, this divine form of Shiva also protects the city of Kashi from ill omens and attacks. Therefore, it is the protector deity of Varanasi. You may find it hard to believe, but Kaal Bhairav is the guardian deity of Varanasi, and regarded as the Kotwal of Kashi. Therefore, the Kaal Bhairav Temple so sacred that any tour of Kashi is incomplete without darshan at this temple. Kaal Bhairav is seated on a dog. Instead of offering milk to the deity, priests offer black sesame, oil, and betel leaves.
Ramnagar Fort
Top 10 places to visit in Varanasi include a mighty fort called Ramnagar Fort. The fort is the royal residence of the Maharaja of Banaras. Ramnagar Fort has a Mughal architectural style and is famous for its museum, which has antique furniture, vintage cars, armoury, and other antiquities. Ramlila Festival is celebrated with great festivities in Ramnagar Fort. A massive fair is organized on the premises of Ramnagar Fort, and thousands of people take part in stage performances and folk dances.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is one of the places to visit in Varanasi in 3 days. The temple deity is Lord Hanuman, and the temple dates back to the 16th century. The famous poet saint Goswami Tulsidas founded Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. The unique thing about the idol is that it faces Lord Ram and is not facing forward. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the best days to visit the temple. You can see many monkeys around the temple. The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh is a five-day cultural festival organized in this temple, and musicians from India participate in this festival.
Bharat Mata Temple
One of the most unique temples in Varanasi is the one called Bharat Mata Temple. This temple rightly makes it to this list of the top 10 places to visit in Varanasi due to its unique nature. This is because unlike other temples in Varanasi, there are no idols or sculptures in the temple. The main deity of the temple is not a god or goddess, but it is India, who is regarded as Bharat Mata or Mother India. There is a large map of India in three dimensions. The map features rivers, mountains, plains, oceans, and other physical features. The entire relief map is made of marble stone and is perfectly scaled with precision.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Banaras Hindu University is the oldest university in South East Asia and is located in Varanasi. This university is one of the major educational institutions, not only in Varanasi, but in India. Major educational institutions are located in this university. The campus of Banaras Hindu University is massive and has residential houses, hostels, sports facilities, and a museum. The New Vishwanath Temple is also located on the campus grounds. The museum houses rare antique items like paintings, sculptures, historic coins, and archaeological treasures.
Assi Ghat
The ghats are among the top 10 places to visit in Varanasi. Assi Ghat is located at the confluence of the Ganga and Assi Rivers. The unique Subah-e-Banaras is the morning aarti which takes place in Assi Ghat. The event also has yoga sessions, classical music performances, Vedic chanting, and open-air celebrations. Assi Ghat is even mentioned in the ancient Puranas, and having a holy dip in the Ganga at this ghat is considered to wash away all the sins. Assi Ghat is also the place from where you can go for a Varanasi boat ride and cruise.
Manikarnika Ghat
Though Varanasi has around 84 ghats, none of them is as important as Manikarnika Ghat. People prefer to create their loved ones at Manikanika Ghat because doing so grants moksha or freedom to the spirit of the dead. Some believe that the earrings of Devi Sati fell at Manikarnika Ghat at the time when Lord Shiva was carrying away her body through the heavens. There is an eternal flame here which has kept burning for ages, and has never been extinguished.
FAQ
Are 2 days enough to visit Varanasi?
Yes, there are many places to visit in Varanasi in 2 days. You can make a Varanasi trip plan for 2 days and visit major places in Varanasi.
What is the time for Ganga Aarti in Varanasi?
Varanasi Ganga Aarti is held daily, 365 days a year. Evening Aarti takes place at Dashashwamedh Ghat, and morning Aarti takes place at Assi Ghat in Varanasi.
What is the cost of getting the VIP ticket at Ganga Aarti in Varanasi?
You can get a VIP pass for Ganga Aarti in Varanasi for Rs.500 to Rs.3000 per person. You can get premium riverside seating or private ghat seating at this price.
How many ghats are there in Varanasi?
There are around 84 ghats in Varanasi. You can take a walk from one ghat to another and explore these ghats.
What is the Varanasi trip cost for 3 days?
Cost of Varanasi trip cost for 3 days is in the range of Rs.4500/- to Rs.25000/- and includes guided tour, hotel accommodation, meals, boat rides, and pickup drop facilities.
Conclusion
These list of the top 10 places to visit in Varanasi are not just temples but other places also. You can visit these places on your Varanasi trip and experience spirituality and adventure. You should visit Varanasi at least once in your lifetime so that you can get to know the ancient culture of Varanasi and its spiritual significance. It can be rightly said that Buddhism originated from Varanasi and spread across other countries of the world. Varanasi is also the city where you can buy the famous Banarasi silk sarees and taste Banarasi paan. Varanasi Excursion has many Varanasi Tour Packages for you, and this is a golden opportunity for you to visit Varanasi with their expert guidance.