Varanasi, India - Travel Guide and Top Things To Do

Varanasi, located in North India, is one of the most sacred religious cities in all of India. It's a holy place, located next to the Ganges River. Dying in Varanasi is considered sacred, yet at the same time it's a city where people come to celebrate life and to splash in the water of the Ganges.
In the Varanasi travel guide I'll go over some of the top things to do in Varanasi. Unlike other huge cities like Delhi ( • 21 Things To Do In Del... ), which boast an enormous amount of attractions to see and things to do, Varanasi is more about just being there. You don't have to rush from place to place seeing the sights, but it's all about hanging out either along the Ganges River or within the narrow Varanasi lanes and exploring, observing, and just watching. Spending the time just to sit and watch is one of the most rewarding things to do in Varanasi, India.
At the beginning of this video I first start the day at about 6:30 am with a leisure boat ride along the Ganges River. It's one of the most popular things to do, and for a good reason; Seeing the bank of the Ganges River from being in the river offers a truly magical glimpse into the life and death that takes place in the morning. Fog is especially common in the winter, and the day I went the fog was thick. Along with taking a boat in the Ganges River in Varanasi, another great way to explore is just on foot along the ghats. A ghat is a series of steps which lead down to the river. They offer a nice place to walk or a place to sit and watch. There are ghats throughout Varanasi. Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main one, but there are also two burning ghats where they burn bodies as well. One day while I was walking past the smaller of the two burning ghats in Varanasi, I was able to observe a funeral taking place where they sunk a body into the bottom of the Ganges River. Along with the rituals that went along with it, it was amazing to see.
If you're not along the river in Varanasi, the narrow ancient lanes are a great place to explore. You'll find all sorts of stores and shops selling cloth, spices, conveniences and some food stalls as well. Varanasi desserts are particularly famous, but also try round rotis and the local paan mouth chew. Within the lanes of Varanasi you'll also find Hindu shrines and temples like the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The line to enter the temple can be seriously long and the security is extremely tight in the area. One of the best ways to get around Varanasi, when you're on the main roads, is by taking a bicycle rickshaw. You'll be amazed at the places you can fit, but it's always a fun ride. Don't forget to stop on the side of the street to indulge is some delicious Varanasi street food while you're at it.
Finally, no trip to Varanasi is complete without mentioning the nightly aarti puja prayer ceremony, which is a ceremony dedicated to the gods of the Ganges River. This nightly ritual includes a line of holy brahmin who all perform rituals using fire, incense, and motion to bless the night. It's quite an event and something interested to witness.
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[@MarkWiens]

Thank you very very much - I'm really glad you enjoyed this video. I had a really amazing time visiting Varanasi, truly a place like no other that I've ever visited. Ok, I would love to go back to Manila. When I was there about 4 years ago, it was before I even knew what a video camera was!! Thanks again, and I hope to go to the Philippines again.

[@MarkWiens]

NEW VIDEO: Adventures in one of the most interesting places in the world... Varanasi, India!

[@sanghamitrochatterjee2044]

Please visit Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Luxa Road, Varanasi, it is an another interesting place in that city. You will find it to be more interesting if you have read a little about Swami Vivekananda.

[@sanjaysiva883]

When was this? Which month did you travel?

[@motionengineer3802]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmqzpYymZtGHidU

[@hopscotchtheglobe]

One of my favourite places in the world. Such an interesting place. Can't wait to go back and get some good footage.

[@MarkWiens]

Hey MK, good to hear from you and thank you very much for watching. Hope to see you in Bangkok too!

[@MarkWiens]

Awesome description, thank you very much for watching!

[@MarkWiens]

Great, thank you so much. I couldn't do it without Ying!

[@MarkWiens]

Good to hear you liked it too Kristen!

[@MarkWiens]

Thanks so much Jimmy, glad you enjoyed it. Hope you're doing well!

[@MarkWiens]

Yes, very dreamy!

[@MarkWiens]

Thanks James!

[@MarkWiens]

Thanks, yes a very interesting city!

[@MarkWiens]

Great to hear that Claire, hope you can visit India in the future!

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you Uly!

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you Karan!

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you!

[@MarkWiens]

Haha, sounds delicious! My stomach was alright!

[@MarkWiens]

Thanks!

[@MarkWiens]

Thanks Tommy!

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you again Jeebak!!

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you so much for watching, I really appreciate it!

[@MarkWiens]

I really appreciate your kind comment. I will let Ying know!

[@MarkWiens]

You're welcome, thank you for watching!

[@MarkWiens]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@MarkWiens]

Hey Hasitha, I think I just got back to you email message. But yes, my wife normally films me. I use a canon 550d dslr camera, and it shoots great quality video. Thanks for watching!

[@MarkWiens]

Cool to hear you're from Central America, I really hope to visit!

[@MarkWiens]

Yo Jamin, whats up man! Thanks for watching. We had so many good food adventures back in AZ. How are things? Are you living in Sac now?

[@jamesjong21]

Looks magical in the evening...

[@stormstereo]

Magical misty morning shots, and the night shots at the end are equally amazing!

[@nitishtiwari24]

Nice to see your video love you form varanasi India ❤🙏 Har Har Mahadev 🚩🙏

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you. My wife is filming!

[@user-xu9kj3sh1w]

That's a good idea, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the tip!

[@MarkWiens]

Hey, no didn't get to try that, but I did stop at the Kash Chaat Bhandar which was excellent!

[@fyaaaah]

Great video Mark! One of your best imo. I especially like the evening ceremony footage and the singing boatman.

[@odiana007]

I really love your videos! Go to India is my biggest dream,you are so lucky.

[@lalita644]

Mark you are the best glad you made it to india the beautiful food the temples and the people i love india being there and all around oh i miss it so much thanks again for the lovely video !! best .

[@kolkattaindia]

Mark, you're so brave....you travel to the most unusual parts of the world, thank you for bringing us these vids which otherwise we don't get to see ! Excellent work..

[@RahulshahOxfordTech]

Mind blowing.

[@jenniferwei9797]

I've just discovered your videos and they're so wonderful. Great camerawork, great editing, engaging format...thank you for sharing these! Some of my favorite travel videos.

[@pitchapachomduang300]

Thank you MARK

[@BriBriBros]

Everywhere I search travel spots, Southeast Asia, India,etc. I invariably find your videos the best. Keep up the good work! Danny from Canada

[@femfromholland]

Thanks again for this video it brings back memories. Varanasi is one of the most spiritual places Ive ever been. I loved the evening ceremonies. Namaste :)

[@jnwestray78]

That was beautiful, thanks.

[@vacationboyvideos]

What a video! Another one of my fav! I felt like I was "there" your cinema photography or your wife... Is getting even better! So is the editing!!!! The peas with leaf spoon .. Amazing!

[@jawadhaider5902]

I keep memories of Banaras dear and closer to my heart.

[@rahulsrivastava6577]

the song sung by the boatman means he will meet his girl this year....incredible city and awesome video.

[@TheSpritz0]

It would be an EPIC trip for you, and a fantastic opportunity!

[@uvalera]

Impressive video as usual.

[@nijokongapally4791]

varanasi is Temple city. good traveling and food trip👍💯💖😍

[@TheSpritz0]

HANDS DOWN the BEST video I've ever seen you do MARK!!!! And you have some absolutely amazing videos, in almost all areas of SouthEast Asia... about the only area I'd like you to travel and report back on is MANILA PHILIPPINES- you'd make an incredible TRAVEL GUIDE there!!!!!!

[@thefirsthalo3junk]

Great!

[@MarkWiens]

I hope so, but not sure when! Are you from the Philippines? What part?

[@poeticfallacy]

I just discovered your channel.. gotta say, your videos are awesome!

[@MarkWiens]

Hey, I would love to visit Central America, but not sure when. Are you from Central America?

[@efsa59]

Mark's wife, (what is your name?), I'd like to give you credit for doing a fantastic job of capturing the scenery, mood (somber), and daily life of the oldest and holiest of city in India, along the banks of the Ganges. I, too, felt the spiritual importance of this place to its people and the rhythm of life played out everyday, as exemplified by the gentle rowing of the oarsman. And I see our roasted dumpling friend again. Snacks look so healthy. Thank you, the both of you. Well done.

[@TheOlleoliver]

Oh, cool. Btw, love your videos!

[@clashofclan5328]

a quick guide😇

[@avittorio]

You're awesome.

[@RealSpaceHobo]

Awesome

[@efsa59]

Hello Ying, nice to finally have met you!

[@asunshinedragonplus]

Good one!

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you! We have been married just for a month now, but we just signed the documents, haven't had an official ceremony yet.

[@upfront0812]

Hey Mark, good to hear back from you. My best to Ying and you. You two complement each other and make a great team. Lesson to be learned for many couples ! Yes, look fwd to our future meet in Bkk :)

[@nagendaranmathannagendaara3416]

Varanasi super super good welcome to

[@JeebakRoy]

Mark,you have redefined my country.. Superb camera works,superb documentary and the editing is magnificent too. Great job. Long live Mark. C u in bangkok soon.

[@jamesjong21]

Actually I take that back it looks magical full stop...

[@rajamarimuthai2129]

Next week I will be there ... From Malaysia....

[@shyammohansharma8919]

nice video :) thank you ..

[@upfront0812]

Mark & Ying : Thank you for sharing this excellent video. Learnt quite a bit. Hop to see you all in Bangkok one of these days. Mark, this is your friend MK from USA. You are about 1500 miles away from me at this time. Am also enjoying my SE Asian sojourn:)---MK

[@asunshinedragonplus]

That's a pretty interesting place to go to ^.^

[@MarkWiens]

Hey Jamin, ok great, I'm in Bangkok now, but hoping to come to the States for Christmas... but not sure yet. Would be great to see you sometime!

[@exploremylifewithjahnavi8568]

Mark Wiens when u visit varanasi next time plzz tell

[@sanzoparty1066]

Mark, please tell Ying that she is an excellent camera person. She knows precisely what to film to set the mood. Of course, your commentary puts your viewers right there with you. Travel Channel has nothing over your series!

[@ejod_who]

Love all your videos! One question, who is with you filming?

[@santoshsco]

hope you liked varanasi mark !!

[@MarkWiens]

Thank you very much Emma. Her name is Ying, she's Thai!

[@thefirsthalo3junk]

Really enjoyed it. ^o^

[@AmulyaShivakumar]

hey i know Pankaj !!!!! met him in my visit!! nice video mark!!!

[@mgkcha123]

amazing! i enjoyed a lot. keep it up ;) im from sri lanka, and enjoyed the videos about sri lanka a lot. btw, is there anyone holding the camera for you, or you just set the camera in a tripod and talk (ex. when eating kottu and roti in galle face, sri lanka) ? next thing is, what is the video camera that you use ? videos look nice and clear, and i am looking to buy a good one for my tours. great work. keep it up ;)

[@onelife-celebrateit]

true our country is beautiful spiritual magnificent but we are so far away from maintaining it's true form... the hygiene part especially... I find people just sooo careless about the environment... I'm an Indian...really proud of my motherland but it really upsets me by the way most of the people spoil this land...

[@motionengineer3802]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmqzpYymZtGHidU

[@ShehnaiArtistPrabhat]

My Fav city Banarash

[@JitendraSingh-jy8ke]

Thumbs up

[@TWOCOWS1]

bless you, Mark. you ate street food in India and lived to tell us about it? bless you indeed

[@baker2880]

Hay Mark love the vid. How do you find the people in Varanasi? i'm a photographer and want to go out there next year for pics of the holy men. do you think it is a trip that i could make on my own? did you go out there in a group or just back packed your way round? any advise would be great.

[@nhenguyen6514]

Hi Mark, i see you again, i'm Vietnamese, i had come to mine. 😊

[@Karanodom]

I want to see your videos on the food or travel channel.

[@hivemind52]

Again visit

[@MarkWiens]

Hey, I'm not back in Thailand.

[@MarkWiens]

Hey Olga, I want her too... but she's camera shy, hah!

[@TheHenryukl]

hey mark, are you currently in india or thailand?

[@derekkpayne920]

We are going to Varanasi latter this year do you know any cheap well run places to stay. Oh your video was great. Derek

[@CyPsyGuy]

I do not think trying to find cheap places in a 3rd world country is a good idea, where prices are already lower than developed countries. I live in india, and I do not want/like to travel in india because it is relatively quite dirty.

[@warrenblunt3436]

Expect to see some dead bodies in the river.

[@Motivation55524]

😊😊

[@raymonddondup7820]

Sarnath is a ancient buddhist sites, just 15 km from Varanasi

[@santoshupadhyay114]

Varanasi

[@evoGage]

So beautiful, feels like I've gone back in time. p.s is that your wife @ 3:36? :D

[@MarkWiens]

I think I had diarrhea once, but just once in the morning, not a day long event.

[@manks69]

Hi Mark.. Quick question.. I have been told the street food is a no go.. due to the hygiene.. I see you eating at these stalls.. Did you experience any stomach upsets.. and any recommendations to minimise these risks?? Thanks, D.

[@manks69]

***** It was a question mate.. I was asking a question to find out what is palatable for the western digestive system since we haven't built up the same immunity that a Indian digestive system has.. BTW do you know how you learn? You ask questions.. Just like I did.. If you came over to the UK I am sure you would have question that would seem obvious to us yet unknown to yourself.. And just for the record I was ill.. for a month.. lost 4 stone in the process due to poorly cooked food.. Your hinge standards are far worse in India in general that elsewhere I have a family member who is a Dr in Food Science to vouch for that! So before you get on your metaphorical high horse realise that it was a question I asked in confidence not an insult.. But because you are a close minded dumbass you took it the wrong way.. well done lad ;)

[@pvultureb8341]

Take care of yourselves, whoever is going to travel.

[@saurabhkambliSaukaONE]

Have you Visited Mumbai or not !!!

[@reyankosala4079]

Come to sri lanka plz

[@aby6260]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your video on Varanasi. I am an Indian and like you immensely love Varanasi. Which country you are from ? Your email id ?

[@santhiyahmarymuthu4067]

Please,just once! :)