Begin your day with a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most famous temples in Varanasi. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. You will experience the spiritual and religious atmosphere of the temple and get to witness the unique traditions and rituals. Afterward, you can explore the nearby Manikarnika Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat, two of the most important ghats in Varanasi, where you can take a boat ride in the evening to experience the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, a religious ritual performed every evening.
Spend a day exploring Sarnath, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. Here, you can visit the Dhamek Stupa, one of the most impressive structures of the Buddhist era, and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, a temple built by the Mahabodhi Society. You can also visit the Sarnath Museum, which houses a large collection of Buddhist art and artifacts. Afterward, you can return to Varanasi and explore the local markets, such as the famous Vishwanath lane, which offers a variety of local street food options.
On your last day, visit the Banaras Hindu University, one of the largest residential universities in Asia. Here, you can explore the beautiful campus and visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, which houses a vast collection of art and artifacts from various parts of India. Afterward, you can visit the nearby Ramnagar Fort, a beautiful fort built in the 18th century by the Kashi Naresh Maharaja Balwant Singh. You can witness the daily evening aarti ceremony at the Chet Singh Ghat, which is close to the fort, before ending your day.
If you want to experience the local culture, try to attend a classical music or dance performance at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple or the Bharat Kala Bhavan auditorium. You can also take a side trip to Chunar Fort, which is about an hour's drive from Varanasi. If you want to maximize your fun, try to participate in a boat race, which is held during the monsoon season, or take a sunrise boat ride to watch the city come to life. Don't forget to try the local street food, such as chaat, lassi, and thandai, which are some of the must-try delicacies in Varanasi.
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