3 Days Family-Friendly Itinerary to Explore Banaras

  1. Day 1: Experience the Spirituality
    10 minutes (3.3 km) from Varanasi Junction

    Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple - a significant Lord Shiva temple that dates back to the 18th century. Take a morning boat ride in the Ganges river to witness the sunrise and observe the daily rituals of people offering prayers and taking holy dips. Move to the Durga Temple, an 18th-century temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. The last site for the day will be the Banaras Hindu University, a vast academic complex known for its serene atmosphere and architecture.

  2. Day 2: Explore the Culture of Banaras
    15 minutes (5.5 km) from Riverfront

    Start with a visit to the Monkey Temple or Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple that witnesses an enormous number of monkeys. Next is a visit to the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum that showcases an extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, textiles, and other artifacts. The day will end with a peaceful Ganga aarti ceremony at Dasaswamedh Ghat, which is held every evening to honor the Ganges river.

  3. Day 3: Road Trip to Nearby Sites
    1 hour 30 minutes (85 km) from Varanasi Junction

    Take a day trip to the nearby town of Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Visit the Sarnath Museum, which houses an excellent collection of sculptures and artefacts dating back to the 3rd century BC. Keep the next destination to the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary, housing several species of flora and fauna in their natural habitat, and end your day by exploring the Ramnagar Fort, a majestic fort situated on the eastern bank of River Ganges.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple (1 hour, free entry)
  • Boat Ride in Ganges river (2 hours, ₹500-₹1000 per person)
  • Durga Temple (1 hour, free entry)
  • Banaras Hindu University (2 hours, free entry)
  • Monkey Temple (1 hour, free entry)
  • Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum (2 hours, ₹10 per person)
  • Ganga aarti ceremony (1 hour, free entry)
  • Sarnath Museum (2 hours, ₹5 per person)
  • Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary (3-5 hours, ₹100 per person)
  • Ramnagar Fort (2 hours, ₹50 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₹800-₹1165 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, visit the Assi Ghat to enjoy a serene early morning ambiance. For family-friendly fun, visit the Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya Museum, dedicated to promoting and preserving the traditional culture of the country. Avoid the monsoon season when planning a trip to Banaras since it causes floods and makes it difficult to travel.

0