Why You Should Go To Varanasi – A Weekend in the Heart of India
If India had a heart, you'd find it beating in the ghats of Varanasi. This is not a city—it's an emotion. A holy mess. An existing oxymoron. And if you do believe in gods or merely good tales, a visit to Kashi is something you owe to yourself at least once during your lifetime.
Generally referred to as India's spiritual capital, Varanasi (or Banaras) is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. But beyond its age, it's the richness of this place that hits you. Each dawn over the Ganga, each chant on the ghat, each flickering diya in the river is drenched in centuries of belief, art, life, and freedom.
Ganga Aarti – Where Time Pauses
Your initial introduction to the soul of Varanasi will probably be at Dashashwamedh Ghat, where the world-renowned Ganga Aarti is performed every evening. Imagine this: a river illuminated by hundreds of diyas, saffron-clad priests swinging enormous aartis in unison, chants ascending into the evening air, and the holy Ganga flowing steadily behind it all.
It's not merely a ritual; it's a mass surrender to something larger than themselves. Regardless of whether you're devout or merely inquisitive, the atmosphere here encircles you like incense mist—thick, mystical, and indelible.
Temples That Tell a Thousand Stories
Varanasi contains hundreds of temples, every one with its own myth and draw. The most popular among them is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva. It's one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and regarded as one of India's holiest shrines.
Side by side, discover the Durga Temple, red-painted and filled with feminine energy, and the serene Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, where locals whisper prayers and knot threads of hope.
Temple hopping here isn't about checking boxes—it's about soaking up a spiritual vibration that hangs in the air, on the walls, and in the eyes of the pilgrims on the ground around you.
Boat Rides and Morning Magic
If one experience captures Varanasi, it's the sunrise boat ride on the Ganga. The quiet of dawn, the outline of the ghats against a golden sky, the distant ring of temple bells—it's a sort of peace you don't usually find in life.
From the river, you glimpse the entire sweep of Varanasi's spiritual topography: pilgrims taking sacred dips, performing rituals, lighting diyas, meditating. Life and death are lived side by side, without fear or repression. It's unvarnished, authentic, and deeply humbling.
Markets, Street Food and That Banarasi Vibe
But Varanasi is not just temples and spirituality. It's also markets, rich culture, and delectable food. The city is renowned for its Banarasi silk sarees, brocade work, wooden toys, and antique-style jewelry.
And when you talk about food, believe the streets. From tamatar chaat and kachoris to rabri and malaiyo (a winter treat), your taste buds will appreciate the deviation. Don't miss the opportunity to eat at eateries such as Baati Chokha, where classic Purvanchali flavors unfold.
Why a Weekend Here Stays with You Forever
You don't have to take a week off to feel the magic of Varanasi. A quick weekend getaway can awaken your soul, shake your conception of life and time, and provide you with moments of introspective calm amidst spiritual din.
For female travelers, particularly traveling alone or as a women's group, Varanasi is safe, powerful, and wonderfully grounding. It's a city that opens its arms to greet you, then quietly reveals parts of yourself that you may have forgotten.
Final Thoughts
Varanasi isn't for every traveler—but that's precisely why it's so extraordinary. It doesn't attempt to beguile or amuse. It just is—raw, ancient, and alive, waiting for you to arrive with an open heart.
If therefore you've been considering a break with substance, or simply want to see India in its unvarnished state—head to Kashi.
