Start your day early with a visit to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple opens at 4 AM, so experience the morning Aarti that starts from 3 AM. The temple is crowded, so beware of the pickpockets. Afterward, head to the nearby Dasaswamedh Ghat to experience the sunrise. You can take a boat ride along the Ganges river while enjoying the view of the ghats. The boat ride takes around 2 hours. Afterward, have breakfast at Deena Chat Bhandar, famous for its Kachori and Samosa. For the rest of the day, visit the Assi Ghat, Durga Temple, and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. In the evening, attend the Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, which starts at 7 PM.
Start your day by visiting the Banaras Hindu University, one of the largest residential universities in Asia. The university has a vast campus that houses a museum, art gallery, and a temple. Afterward, head to the Ramnagar Fort, located on the opposite bank of the Ganges river. The fort was built in the 17th century and houses a museum that showcases the history and culture of Varanasi. Afterward, have lunch at Ksheer Sagar, famous for its North and South Indian cuisine. In the evening, head to the Manikarnika Ghat to witness the Aarti ceremony, which takes place at around 6 PM. The ghat is also known as the cremation ghat, so be respectful of the surroundings.
Don't forget to visit the Tulsi Manas Temple, which is famous for its walls that are engraved with texts from the Ramayana. You can also take a day trip to the nearby town of Sarnath, which is famous for its Buddhist Stupas and temples. To maximize your fun, try taking a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Varanasi dishes.
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