If you are coming from railway station or airport, beware of Auto driver, illegal guides and commission agents who try to misguide you.

The high season and most comfortable time to visit Varanasi is between October and March. If you can accept some heat and stand some humidity, August and September are also nice months to visit. The off season is from April through July when it is the hottest time of the year and also monsoon season with heavy rain and winds.

Varanasi is alive with daily pujas, evening arti, kirtan, and other celebrations. You are bound to have a spiritual experience on any given day, but below we’ve outlined some of the biggest holidays and festivals you won’t want to miss in Varanasi:

• Durga Puja Festival, 9 days, every city and corner, statue and music, public event (October)
• Deepawali (Diwali), festival of lights, all new paint in homes, clean house, oil lamps eery corner, candles, worship of lord Ganesh and Laxmi, eat sweets, new things, new year (October/November)
• Only in Varanasi, all steps of all ghats full of oil lamps (millions), thousands of people, roads fully blocked (1 month after Deepawali)
• NYE = party (December 31)
• Republic Day (January 26)
• Makasrankti Festival (Kite), competition, kites kites everywhere (February)
• Shiva Ratri (Shiva Night) – many concert, bhang lassi, many puja (February)

• Sub E Beranas Ganga Arti & Yoga (assi Ghat)- 5.30am every morning
• Sarnath (Historical Buddhist destination)
• Bharat mata mandir – Mother India Temple
• Main Ghat Arti, 6:30PM daily
• Burning Ghats
• King Fort
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
• Shiva Temple
• Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
• Durga Temple
• Manas Mandir

• Learn classical Indian music from international artists & teachers
• Learn yoga from authentic Indian teachers
• Enjoy a Sunrise or Sunset boat ride on the Ganges
• Have a traditional Ayurvedic massage or body treatment
• Fly a kite by the Ganges River
• Enjoy a legendary Varanasi Lassi
• Check out the famous Varanasi Sweet Shop
• Dancing Cobra’s
• Take a long walk along the magical Ghats in the evening.
• Walk the streets to take a look at life 1000’s of years ago.