Itinerariesयात्रा-योजना
Three plans, each starting before sunrise and ending at the evening aarti: one day on the river, two with Sarnath, three with the sites of every faith. Times, entry fees and a map for each.
Plans
One dawn to one dusk
The river at sunrise, the temple, the lanes, and the lamps at night.
- 7 stops
- 3 Places
- 05:30 · Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat
- 18:00 · Ganga Aarti
Assi GhatKashi Vishwanath TempleDashashwamedh Ghat
Kashi and Sarnath
Day one on the river; day two where the Buddha first taught, and the south of the city.
- 10 stops
- 7 Places
- 05:30 · Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat
- 18:30 · Durga Kund Temple
Assi GhatKashi Vishwanath TempleDashashwamedh GhatSarnath — Dhamek StupaBHU & New Vishwanath Temple
Every faith of Kashi
Two days as above, then a third across the city's Buddhist, Jain, Bhakti, Sikh, Islamic and Christian sites, ending at Namo Ghat.
- 14 stops
- 13 Places
- 05:30 · Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat
- 17:45 · Namo Ghat at sunset
Assi GhatKashi Vishwanath TempleDashashwamedh GhatSarnath — Dhamek StupaBHU & New Vishwanath Temple
Questions about planning
How many days are enough for Varanasi?
Two days cover the ghats at dawn and dusk, Kashi Vishwanath and the old-city lanes, and a half-day at Sarnath. One day is enough for the river, the temple and the evening aarti. A third day adds the Jain, Bhakti, Sikh, Islamic and Christian sites and a slower pace.
How do I see Varanasi in one day?
Start at Assi Ghat about 05:30 for Subah-e-Banaras, take a boat to Dashashwamedh, have darshan at Kashi Vishwanath around 08:00, eat kachori-sabzi in the lanes, rest through the afternoon heat, and end with the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh at dusk.
What time should I start the day?
Before sunrise. The morning aarti at Assi begins before dawn, the river is calmest then, and the Kashi Vishwanath queues are shorter early. Plan the hottest hours, roughly 12:00 to 16:00, for rest or indoor sites.
Do I need to book anything for these plans?
Most stops are free and need no booking. Book ahead for trains and rooms near the ghats, Sugam Darshan or the Mangala aarti at Kashi Vishwanath (official trust website only), and boats on festival evenings. Sarnath's site and museum are ticketed at the gate.
Sources: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — rituals and timings · Subah-e-Banaras (official) · Archaeological Survey of India — Sarnath