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5-Day Kashi Yatra (Varanasi & Sarnath) — Spiritual Ghats, Temples & Pilgrim Rituals

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Day 1: Arrival & Aarti

Varanasi, India on November 9, 2025

12:00pm

Arrival & hotel check-in

Reach your hotel in the old city or near the ghats, freshen up and store luggage; choose a haveli/guesthouse close to the river for easy aarti access.
INR0, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Keshari Restaurant (Godowlia)

Popular vegetarian restaurant near Godowlia serving local thalis and North Indian cuisine — a simple, reliable first meal in Kashi.
INR300, 1h0m

3:00pm

Orientation walk along the ghats (Assi to Dashashwamedh)

Stroll the ghats to get a first-hand sense of river life, watch pilgrims bathing, and book a dawn boat if you plan an early ride tomorrow; most ghats are open all day.
INR0, 1h30m

5:15pm

Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

Attend the famous evening aarti led by priests with lamps, bells and chanting — arrive 30–45 minutes early for a good vantage point; typical start around sunset (seasonal).
INR100, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Brijwasi Lassi & Sweets (or nearby vegetarian restaurant)

Try local specialties and a famous lassi for dessert; choose an established clean spot close to the ghats for convenience after aarti.
INR250, 1h0m

Day 2: Dawn Boat & Temples

Varanasi, India on November 10, 2025

5:00am

Dawn boat ride on the Ganges (Assi/Dashashwamedh launch)

Experience sunrise rituals and pilgrim bathing from the river — a quintessential Kashi moment that shows the ghats in full spiritual flow; boats operate before and just after sunrise (seasonal times).
INR600, 1h30m

7:15am

Breakfast — Deena Chat Bhandar (old city)

Famous local spot for kachori, sabzi and North Indian breakfast items; small, authentic and ideal after a morning boat ride (open early mornings).
INR150, 0h45m

8:30am

Kashi Vishwanath Temple & Gyanvapi visit

Visit the heart of Kashi — the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex and adjacent Gyanvapi area for darshan and the temple atmosphere; temple darshan has morning and evening sessions (arrive early to avoid long queues).
INR50, 2h0m

11:00am

Annapurna Devi Temple & nearby lanes

A short walk from Kashi Vishwanath, the Annapurna temple is an important Shakti shrine and a chance to explore narrow lanes and religious shops.
INR0, 0h45m

1:00pm

Lunch — Local thali at Kashi Bhojanalaya / Keshari

Enjoy a hearty vegetarian thali near the temple area to refuel; clean, quick and suited for pilgrims on a tight schedule (open midday).
INR250, 1h0m

3:00pm

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple visit

One of Varanasi’s most revered Hanuman temples; attend afternoon aarti if timing allows — the temple is active throughout the day.
INR0, 1h0m

5:00pm

Evening tea/refreshment at Assi Ghat — Blue Lassi or similar

Relax at Assi Ghat with a lassi or chai while watching pilgrims and local life unwind at sunset; many small vendors operate through evening.
INR100, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner — Kashi Chaat Bhandar or local vegetarian restaurant

Sample famous chaat varieties or a full vegetarian dinner in the old city; choose a well-reviewed, busy place for freshness and authenticity.
INR300, 1h0m

Day 3: Sarnath Excursion

Sarnath → Varanasi, India on November 11, 2025

8:00am

Drive to Sarnath (short transfer)

Leave Varanasi for Sarnath (approx. 30–40 minutes depending on traffic) to visit the Buddhist sites where the Buddha gave his first sermon.
INR300, 0h45m

9:00am

Dhamek Stupa & Archaeological ruins

See the imposing Dhamek Stupa and surrounding ruins of monasteries and stupas — open in the morning and offering peaceful walking areas.
INR0, 1h0m

10:30am

Sarnath Archaeological Museum (Buddhist art)

Museum houses the Lion Capital and important Buddhist sculptures — typically open from morning to late afternoon (confirm seasonal hours).
INR50, 1h15m

12:30pm

Lunch — Local café or vegetarian restaurant near Sarnath

Light, simple lunch at a local café or canteen near the museum — many options cater to pilgrims and visitors.
INR200, 1h0m

2:00pm

Deer Park (Isipatana) and Thai temple complex

Walk the tranquil Deer Park where the Buddha taught; visit international Buddhist temples (Thai, Tibetan, Japanese) to see modern devotional life.
INR0, 1h15m

4:00pm

Return to Varanasi and rest

Drive back to the ghats and relax before the evening program — use this time to visit a local shop or rest at the hotel.
INR300, 0h45m

6:00pm

Optional evening Ganga aarti or private puja by river

If you missed aarti earlier, attend again or arrange a short private puja with a priest at a ghat (book via hotel or priest); private pujas vary in timing and length.
INR800, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Try a Bengali/UP style thali or rooftop restaurant near the ghats

Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a rooftop place overlooking the river for views and local specialties; ideal to reflect on the day.
INR400, 1h0m

Day 4: Culture & Shopping

Varanasi, India on November 12, 2025

7:30am

Morning puja at Assi or a small priest-led ritual

Participate in or observe a morning puja at Assi Ghat or arrange a short priest-led blessing; many priests conduct private rites from sunrise onward.
INR600, 0h45m

9:00am

Breakfast — Brown Bread Bakery or local café (Bengali Tola area)

Light continental or Indian breakfast at a café near the ghats — nice change if you want a break from heavy street breakfasts.
INR250, 0h45m

10:30am

Visit Ramnagar Fort & Museum

Cross the river by boat to Ramnagar Fort to see the museum of royal memorabilia and the fort courtyard; typical museum hours are late morning to afternoon (confirm locally).
INR100, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — Riverside café or local thali near BHU

Have a leisurely lunch before an afternoon of shopping; many riverside cafés offer scenic lunches by the Ganges.
INR350, 1h0m

2:30pm

Banarasi silk shopping — Vishwanath Gali, Thatheri Bazaar & Chowk

Explore famous markets for Banarasi sarees, brocades and handicrafts; bargaining expected and shops are typically open through late evening.
INR0, 2h30m

5:30pm

Attend a classical music/short concert (if available) or cultural program

Varanasi has regular classical music and devotional performances—check listings at cultural spaces or hotel notice boards (times seasonal).
INR300, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Try local specialty 'litti-chokha' or restaurant specializing in Banarasi food

Sample regional specialties like litti-chokha in a clean, recommended restaurant to round out your culinary immersion.
INR300, 1h0m

Day 5: Final Rituals & Departure

Varanasi, India on November 13, 2025

5:00am

Optional final puja / pind daan / priest-arranged ritual at a ghat

If you have ancestral rites or wish a ceremonial farewell, arrange pind daan or a short puja through your hotel or a trusted priest; rituals vary in length and must be booked in advance.
INR1500, 1h0m

7:30am

Breakfast — Deena Chat Bhandar or local café

One last traditional breakfast of kachori, chaat or lassi before checking out; many popular vendors open early for pilgrims.
INR150, 0h45m

9:00am

Last-minute temple visit or bazaar shopping (Vishwanath Gali)

Return to Kashi Vishwanath for a final darshan or pick up last-minute silk/souvenirs in the nearby lanes.
INR0, 1h0m

11:00am

Hotel checkout and transfer to station/airport

Complete check-out formalities and transfer; allow extra time for traffic when traveling to the railway station or Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport.
INR400, 1h0m

12:00pm

Departure

End of 5-day Kashi Yatra — depart with time to spare and leave room for last-minute blessings or a final walk along the ghats if schedule allows.
INR0, 0h0m
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