The lands of Varanasi are blessed by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Kashi is said to be the place where both life and death happens to exist together. Varanasi is also blessed by the Holy River Ganga which according to Hindu mythology has the power to wash away the sins of people. Indian culture, heritage, art, craft, history everything can be found at every inch of the city. Varanasi is the oldest holy city and has over 2000 temples. The Ghats of Ganga gives an overwhelming experience during the morning and evening Aarti. The devotion for God is something that you will see in these ghats. Tourists and devotees visit Kashi throughout the year. There are so many ashrams, hotels and restaurants
Ramada Varanasi Katesar
Varanasi has some of the best hotels and resorts for the visitors and tourists. These hotels provide luxurious stays with a beautiful ambience and 24 hours services. Ramada Varanasi Katesar, a hotel near the Varanasi fort, is a 5 star luxurious property and has one of the best restaurants in Varanasi. They have the best Indian cuisine made by world class chefs.
Nearby Places and Activities
Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat
Earlier, the ghat was named as Rudrasaras. Later it was named Dashashwamedh when Lord Brahma sacrificed horses and established 2 Shivlings at the Ghat. Hence, the meaning of this Ghat is the sacrifice of ten horses. The spectacular Ganga Aarti ceremony is held at Dashashwamedh Ghat every evening after dusk, devoted to Lord Shiva, the River Ganges, Surya, Agni, and the entire cosmos. Numerous clay lanterns are submerged in the Ganga river to create a floating lamp, which looks amazing and appears to be an important Hindu holy ceremony. A bunch of young priests dressed in saffron and carrying a large brass aarti light and puja thali perform the Ganga aarti, a religious ceremony, on the banks of the Ganga River. Every morning, a few followers gather here to honor their Lord after having a holy dip in the Ganges. Historically, Hindu worshippers have regarded this ghat as their favorite and principal ghat. You may observe a lot of Hindu worshipers here during the festival.
Boat Ride in Ganges River
Taking a boat trip along the River Ganges is the finest way to experience it. The city is traversed by the River Ganges, which is joined to the land by a number of ghats. Numerous boats are available for rent in each ghat. Less boats are available on smaller ghats than on larger ones. The most well-known of all is the ride during Ganga Aarti. A different attraction is a boat cruise along Kashi. In close proximity to Adi Keshav Ghat is Kashi. One ride takes three to four hours to complete. One of the main tourist attractions is the trip to the castle on Banaras. This includes a stroll around the market and a castle visit. The trail has a lot of attractions and once you’ve seen the mesmerizing view thanks to the boat ride, you can couple it with having a scrumptious dinner at one of the Best restaurants in Varanasi, located in Ramada - Katesar
Sarnath
The first time Gautama Buddha preached to a gathering of followers was in Sarnath, which lies 10 kilometers northeast of Varanasi. A monarch named Kondanna, who later became a devotee of Lord Buddha, attained enlightenment here, establishing the Buddhist Sangha. If you're wondering when would be the best to visit, the recommended months to go to Sarnath are from October to March. Sarangnath, also known as the Deer God, is the source of the name Sarnath. The city, also known as Isipatana, was considered one of the four pilgrimage locations by Lord Buddha. As a result, Sarnath is the destination to be if you want solitude and want to be close to a spot where you can learn about India's rich history while also meditating.
There are 3 major destinations to visit in Sarnath
Tibetan Temple
The temple also has a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, and the Buddhist shrine is embellished with Thangkas (Tibetian Buddhist Paintings). Outside the temple structure are the prayer wheels. Sheets with prayers printed onto them are released when they are rotated clockwise.
Ashoka Pillar
The legendary Mauryan Emperor Ashoka created the Ashoka Pillar, which also serves as our nation's flag. In addition to Dhamek Stupa, it is 50 meters tall. Several monks can be seen meditating in the complex when you arrive.
Chaukhandi Stupa
In the fifth century, this stupa was erected to symbolize the spot where Lord Buddha initially met his followers. This gives it significant historical and architectural value.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
A well-known ancient temple, Kashi Vishwanath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas devoted to Lord Shiva. It is located on the banks of the revered Ganges, and in the morning and evening, it seems as though the temple's spiritual allure multiplies. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, who is also reverently known as Vishweshwarar or Vishwanatha, which is another name for the lord of the universe. Winter season is the most favorable of all to visit this temple. The main tower of the temple is covered in a huge 800 kg of gold plating.
Ramnagar Fort
RamNagar Fort, which is situated on the eastern bank of the River Ganga, is a lovely location to view a river sunset. It was erected in the 18th century by Maharaj Balwant Singh and serves as the Banaras Maharaja's ancestral residence. Built from red sandstone, the fort. It contains a shrine honoring Ved Vyasa, the author of the illustrious Indian epic Mahabharata. The fort has an oddball museum with a royal assortment of antique automobiles, swords, palanquins, works of ivory, an area dedicated to archaic weapons, and an incredibly unique astrological clock. The museum is home to a variety of sacred texts, including priceless manuscripts. The collection also includes other volumes with exquisitely crafted covers and illustrations reminiscent of Mughal miniatures. Ramada is one of the best hotels near Varanasi Fort .