Pick up from your Varanasi city hotel for a full day city tour.

Begin with an early morning (5am approx) Sunrise Boat Cruise along the Ganges, catching the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. Varanasi presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical, and supernatural elements. According to Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates the soul from the human body to the ultimate. The Ganga Ghats of Varanasi complement the concept of divinity, with pilgrims flocking to take a dip in the holy Ganges, believed to absolve one from all sins.

Walk along the Ghats of Varanasi, including Dashashwamedh Ghat, the main ghat near Vishwanath Temple, and Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in 1737. Explore other prominent Ghats such as Manikarnika Ghat, Harishchandra Ghat, Kabir Ghat, and Assi Ghat, all of which are integral to the city's spiritual life.

Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the most famous temple dedicated to Vishveswara Shiva as the lord of the universe. Built in 1776 by Ahalya Bai of Indore, the temple's tower and dome were gold-plated with 800kg of gold by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. (Note: Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the main temple sanctum).

Return to your hotel for breakfast.

Continue the city tour with a visit to Banaras Hindu University, established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya and Annie Besant. This public central university is the largest residential university in Asia, housing over 30,000 students.

Explore Bharat Kala Bhawan within the university campus. This museum features a wonderful collection of miniature paintings, 12th-century palm-leaf manuscripts, sculptures, and local history displays (Sunday closed).

Visit Bharat Mata Mandir, located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus. Unlike traditional temples, it features a huge map of undivided India carved in marble, dedicated to Bharat Mata and unique in its kind.

See the Durga Temple, constructed in the 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore. This temple holds great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to Maa Durga.

Journey to Sarnath, about 10km from Varanasi, where Buddha delivered his first sermon. The celebrated mantra, Buddham Sharanam Gachhami, originated here, making Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places. It also has connections to Jainism.

Visit the Archaeological Museum in Sarnath, the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India. The museum houses 6,832 sculptures and artifacts discovered during the archaeological excavations at Sarnath.

Conclude your tour with the Evening Aarti Ceremony at Dasashwamedh Ghat. Experience the magical ritual where priests chant Sanskrit mantras with cymbals and drums, offering flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk, and vermilion to the river. The blazing camphor lamp and many-flamed aarti lamps reflect on the dark river as Ganga accepts the worship.

After sightseeing, you will be dropped off at your hotel.