9-Day Varanasi Itinerary

1. Day 1: Dashashwamedh Ghat
   10 minutes (2.4 km) from Varanasi Junction Railway Station

   The largest and busiest ghat with daily aarti ceremony at sunset.

2. Day 2: Sarnath
   25 minutes (13 km) from Dashashwamedh Ghat

   Where Buddha gave his first sermon and ruins of several stupas can be seen.

3. Day 3: Kashi Vishwanath Temple
   10 minutes (3 km) from Sarnath

   A famous and holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

4. Day 4: Assi Ghat
   20 minutes (7 km) from Kashi Vishwanath Temple

   A quieter ghat that marks the confluence of Ganges and Asi rivers.

5. Day 5: Ramnagar Fort
   45 minutes (14 km) from Assi Ghat

   An impressive fort and museum with a collection of vintage cars and weapons.

6. Day 6: Banaras Hindu University
   20 minutes (9 km) from Ramnagar Fort

   A premier university with a sprawling campus and 19th-century Bharat Kala Bhavan museum.

7. Day 7: Manikarnika Ghat
   20 minutes (5 km) from Banaras Hindu University

   A cremation ghat where Hindus believe to attain moksha by cremation.

8. Day 8: Tulsi Manas Temple
   10 minutes (2.5 km) from Manikarnika Ghat

   A temple dedicated to Lord Rama, with images and verses from Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas.

9. Day 9: Bharat Mata Mandir
   15 minutes (3.5 km) from Tulsi Manas Temple

   A multi-storey temple dedicated to Mother India with a detailed model of India in marble.

Time and Cost Estimates:

• Dashashwamedh Ghat (2 hours, Free)
• Sarnath (3 hours, Free)
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple (2 hours, Free - VIP Darshan Rs. 500)
• Assi Ghat (1 hour, Free)
• Ramnagar Fort (2 hours, Rs. 50 entry fee)
• Banaras Hindu University (2 hours, Free)
• Manikarnika Ghat (30 minutes, Free)
• Tulsi Manas Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Bharat Mata Mandir (1 hour, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs: Rs. 550

Useful Tips:

If you have more than 9 days, consider visiting other nearby places like Allahabad or Bodh Gaya. With less time, skip some of the ghat visits or reduce the time spent at each location.