a body of water with a city in the background

Varanasi

Stone ghats, dawn boat rides and evening fire ceremonies on the Ganges, in a city that is holy to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.

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Varanasi is a holy city on the left bank of the Ganges in eastern Uttar Pradesh, northern India. It is also called Kashi or Benares. Hindu pilgrims come to bathe in the river and perform rituals on the ghats, the stone steps that lead down to the water. About 84 ghats line roughly 6.5 km of riverbank. Buddhists and Jains visit too. Sarnath, about 10 km north-east, is where the Buddha gave his first teaching.

Most ghats are for bathing, and a few are cremation sites, so you will see both on a walk along the river. Dashashwamedh Ghat, near Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is the most lively ghat, and priests hold a fire worship ceremony there every evening. A morning boat ride is a popular way to see the ghats. October to March is the cooler season and the most comfortable for sightseeing. Summers are hot and dry, and the monsoon runs from July to October.

Varanasi in five

Book a dawn boat on the GangesSunrise is the best light on the ghats and the calmest time on the river. Agree the price, the route and the duration before you step into the boat, and avoid paying for extras on the water.Varanasi in 2 days
Stay near the ghats, not the stationThe old city around Dashashwamedh and Godowlia is walkable but narrow, and Assi Ghat is quieter. The station area is easy for trains but a drive from the river.Where to stay in Varanasi
Respect the burning ghatsManikarnika and Harishchandra are working cremation sites. Do not photograph the pyres, keep your distance and ignore anyone who asks for a donation to show you around.
Arrive early for the evening aartiThe Ganga aarti is held nightly at Dashashwamedh Ghat and draws big crowds. Arrive well before dusk, or watch from a boat or a rooftop for a calmer view.
Add Sarnath as a half daySarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is about 10 km north. A short taxi ride covers the ruins, the Dhamek stupa and the museum, and it contrasts with the city.Uttar Pradesh travel guide

Things to do in Varanasi

See all attractions in Varanasi

a large building with a bunch of stairs leading up to it

Castle · VaranasiRamnagar Fort

A stone Shiva lingam and Nandi statue with small clay oil lamps on a riverbank

Temple · VaranasiManikarnika GhatKeep your voice low and stay back from the pyres and the mourning families.

Temple · VaranasiAhilyabai Ghat, (Varanasi)

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to VaranasiPut the places you like in Varanasi on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Varanasi airport (VNS), about 25 km; Varanasi Junction station
Getting around: Walking and boats on the ghats; autos, e-rickshaws and cabs elsewhere
Best base: Near Dashashwamedh or Assi Ghat for the river
Time needed: 2 nights; 3 with Sarnath and Ramnagar
Best months: October to March; monsoon floods the lower ghats

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Cool, foggy
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Mild, clear
MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh34°Low20°Warm
AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh40°Low25°Hot
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh41°Low28°Very hot
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh39°Low30°Hot, humid
JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°Monsoon
AugustRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low27°River high
SeptemberRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Humid
OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Clear, warm
NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Clear, festivals
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low13°Cool, foggy

Average daily high and low in Varanasi, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Varanasi

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 23°
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Varanasi

04:07 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today29°21°0%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed29°20°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu29°18°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri29°18°0%Friday: Clear. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat29°19°0%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun28°18°0%Sunday: Clear. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 01:44 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sarnathabout 30 to 45 min by taxiBuddhist ruins, the Dhamek stupa and a museum; a calm half day.
Ramnagar Fortabout 30 min by roadA riverside fort and museum across the Ganges, on the east bank.
Lucknowabout 5 to 6 hours by train or roadAwadhi food and old imambaras, a good next stop west.Read the guide

Before you go to Varanasi

Ghat walk and Sarnath tourA local guide and a dawn boatCompare tours

Stays by the ghatsHeritage guesthouses to business hotelsCheck availability

eSIM for the old cityData for cabs and offline mapsRead the guide

Cover for stomach bugs and delaysMedical help and fog-delayed trainsRead the guide

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Rules for Varanasi, checked

Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa. Check e-Visa eligibility on the official portal before booking flights.Source
Non-Muslims cannot enter the Alamgir Mosque above Panchganga Ghat, which has a police cordon, and non-Hindus cannot enter Durga Temple.
Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats are working cremation sites: avoid photographing funeral pyres or bodies.
The Ganges is heavily polluted and untreated local water can cause stomach illness: drink only sealed bottled or properly treated water.

All Varanasi guides

Head to headVaranasi vs Rishikesh vs Haridwar: which Ganges stop fits your tripChecked Oct 3, 2026

ItineraryVaranasi in 2 days: dawn boat, ghat walk, aarti and SarnathChecked Oct 1, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Varanasi: ghats, Assi, the Cantonment or SarnathChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Varanasi

All of India

Visas, trains and seasons, country-wide

Read the guide Uttar Pradesh travel guide

Agra, Lucknow and the wider route

Read the guide Lucknow travel guide

The food capital, a long train ride west

Read the guide

Varanasi FAQ

How many days do you need in Varanasi?

Two nights cover a dawn boat, the ghat walk, the old city lanes and the evening aarti. A third day adds Sarnath and Ramnagar Fort. More time suits yoga, music or a slower pace.

Is Varanasi safe for tourists?

Generally yes, with usual city care: agree boat and rickshaw prices first, watch for touts and keep valuables close. The lanes are narrow and busy, so wear sturdy shoes and check your government's current advice.

What is the best time to visit Varanasi?

October to March is cooler and clear. December and January can be foggy and cold at dawn, April to June is very hot, and the monsoon from about July raises the river and can close lower ghats.

Can you take photos at the burning ghats?

No. Do not photograph cremations at Manikarnika or Harishchandra Ghat, and keep a respectful distance. Ignore anyone offering a guide or asking for a donation toward wood.

Should I take a boat at sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise for soft light and the morning rituals, with a calmer river. Sunset is good too, but the aarti draws crowds. If you can do only one, choose sunrise.