Holidays To Varanasi India

There’s nowhere in the world quite like Varanasi. Widely considered as India’s spiritual capital and Hinduism’s holiest city, Varanasi – or Banaras – is India’s most important pilgrimage destination. Prepare your senses to be inundated by the sounds, scents and sights of this enigmatic and enchanting Indian city.

One of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, a holiday in Varanasi transports you to a spiritual land with a fascinating past – and present. Varanasi draws millions of Hindu pilgrims each year, who travel to the city to wash away their sins in the holy waters of the River Ganges or come to end their days in a place believed to aid the achievement of Nirvana – liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The city’s sacred role in India makes Varanasi holidays both magical and intense.

Step into a spiritual and soulful world

Thousands of temples line Varanasi’s winding city streets, each adding to the palpable atmosphere and energy. Spend your Varanasi holiday wandering the tangle of temples, street stalls and mosques and roaming the Ganges riverside to get a sense of this mystical place. A wonderful way to experience Varanasi is a boat trip – where you’ll gain new perspectives on the city’s crowded and colourful river banks and the intricate rituals that take place every day.

At dusk or dawn, make your way to one of the Varanasi ghats – steps leading down to the waters – stretching along the Ganges riverfront. Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat are both well-known. Each day in Varanasi, elaborate religious rituals and ceremonies are held at the ghats; an incredibly atmospheric experience that immerses you in the city’s mystical culture and traditions, with music, incense, candles and chanting.

Reflect on your spiritual holiday in Varanasi in Kerala, India’s green and peaceful state, or travel to Goa to relax on paradisal beaches. At Hayes & Jarvis we specialise in creating bespoke holidays, so whatever your aspirations, we’d love to help you make them happen.