Varanasi Day Tour with Temples & Ganga Aarti – Dawn to Dusk

5.0 (11 reviews) 14 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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11 reviews

5.0

Varanasi Day Tours — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Sarnath — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

️️ What Makes This Tour Unique

This one-day Varanasi experience is not just a sightseeing tour – it's a journey through the soul of India's spiritual capital. From a serene sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, witnessing the city awaken in sacred silence, to exploring centuries-old temples tucked into ancient alleys, this tour offers an intimate look at Varanasi’s living traditions.

Led by a local guide deeply rooted in the culture, you'll visit landmarks like Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and the Banaras Hindu University. In the evening, be spellbound by the iconic Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a powerful spiritual ritual performed with fire, chants, and devotion.

This full-day "Dawn to Dusk" experience immerses you in the spiritual rhythm of Varanasi — a journey of discovery, reflection, and connection.

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At a glance

Duration: 14 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Varanasi Day Tours

Ages: Infants (0–4 years) · Children (5–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: All taxes, fees and handling charges
Included: Hotel pickup and drop off by private AC car
Included: Boat Ride (Exclusive one time)
Included: TripAdvisor Experiences brokerage fee
Included: Professional Guide [For Safe & Honourable tourism we provide only licensed Guide]
Included: A seating arrangement offering one of the best views of the Aarti

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Tips
Not included: Entrance fee to Visit Temple/ Any personal expenses on Rituals.

Itinerary

Banaras Ghats

2 hours Admission included

Boating in the Ganges during the sun rise in Varanasi is main attraction. We can observe here the Hindu’s way of life on the bank of the river Ganges (Ghats)

Some of the prominent and popular Ghats at Varanasi are the Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harischandra Ghat & Kedar Ghat
Dasaswamedh Ghat

Passing by

Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat and most spectacular ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma Sacrifices ten horses during Dasa- Ashwmedha-Yajna.
Kedar Ghat

Passing by

Kedar Ghat in Varanasi. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges
Manikarnika Ghat

Passing by

Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts known as doms, and are carried through the alleyways of the old town to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher, swathed in cloth.
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

20 min

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi
Banaras Hindu University

Passing by

Banaras Hindu University is an internationally reputed temple of learning, situated in the holy city of Varanasi. This Creative and innovative university was founded by the great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, in 1916 with cooperation of great personalities like Dr Annie Besant, who viewed it as the University of India. Banaras Hindu University was created under the Parliamentary legislation - B.H.U. Act 1915. It played a stellar role in the independence movement and has developed into the greatest center of learning in India. It has produced many great freedom fighters and builders of modern India and has immensely contributed to the progress of the nation through a large number of renowned scholars, artists, scientists and technologists who have graced its portals. The area of the main campus of this premiere Central University is 1300 acres, having well maintained roads, extensive greenery, a temple, an air strip and buildings which are an architectural delight.
Durga Temple

10 min Admission included

Durga Temple: Durga Mandir was constructed in 18th century by Bengali Maharani- Rani Bhabani of Natore. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Next to the temple, is a kund (pond) which was earlier connected to the river Ganges. It is believed that the existing icon of the goddess was not made by a man but appeared on its own in the temple.
Sankat Mochan Temple

Passing by

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is a Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India and is dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. The temple was established by famous Hindu preacher and poet saint Sri Goswami Tulsidas in the early 16th century and is situated on the banks of the Assi river. The deity was named "Sankat Mochan" meaning the "reliever from troubles".
Bharat Mata Temple

10 min

Bharat Mata Mandir (meaning "Mother India Temple") is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus in Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh, India. Instead of traditional statues of gods and goddesses, this temple has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble. This temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata and claims to be the only one of its kind in the world.
Sarnath

3 hours

Sarnath: Sarnath in Varanasi, is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. It makes Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places. Besides Buddhism, Sarnath is also connected with Jainism.

There are many Buddhist monuments and edifices at Sarnath. Some of the important Buddhist monuments at Sarnath are the Dhamekha stupa, the Dharmarajika stupa and monasteries and temples of different schools of Buddhism from Japan, China, Thailand, Burma and others. The Mahabodhi Temple within the park has a tooth relic of the Buddha.

There is also a vast expanse of ancient ruins at Sarnath. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most precious ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. The Lion Capital of Ashoka pillar at Sarnath is the National emblem of India, which is displayed in the archaeological museum in Sarnath.
Chaukhandi Stupa

Passing by

The Chaukhandi Stupa is regarded as one of the most divine and important monuments of the Buddhist culture.
Dhamek Stupa

10 min Admission included

Dhamek Stupa Sarnath marks the spot where the Buddha preached his first message. Built by the great Mauryan king Ashoka in he 3rd century BCE
Stop 13

10 min Admission included

Dharmarajika Stupa. It was built over the relics of the Buddha by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE
Ashoka Pillar

10 min Admission included

The pillars of Ashoka are a series of columns dispersed throughout the Indian subcontinent, erected or at least inscribed with edicts by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BCE
Stop 15

30 min Admission included

Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. It houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Ganga Aarti

one hour Admission included

Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered.

Hindus in India worship the river Ganges as goddess. Every evening in Varanasi, aarti is performed at the Dashashwamedh ghat. We can watch it from the ghat or from the waterside in a boat. It is a beautiful, resonant, and majestic spectacle with a very precise choreography involving rituals performed by several priests with the sound of bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras. The river is also worshiped with flower petals.