Varanasi was the first place we visited on our trip to northern India.
We had three nights at the Shiva Guesthouse; a location only accessible on foot or by scooter. If you want to see what the hotel room looked like you can go here.
Our trip coincided with the Shivaratri festival when the city sees a huge influx of pilgrims. To make things even madder the last day of the Kumbh Mela just up the road in Allahabad (which Wikipedia describes as the “world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims”) also coincided with the day we got to Varanasi and we were told a lot of people had arrived in town after leaving Allahabad. To say it was busy was an understatement but the atmosphere was exciting and friendly.
Also, strolling along the next to the river in the evening was oddly peaceful and quiet. The pilgrims seemed to congregate at the religious sites. The queue to get in to the main temple was seemingly endless.
We had a day trip to Sarnath (less than an hour by road) which might be of interest to students of Buddhism. There is also a good museum there.
I loved Varanasi. It was my favourite place in India.
This video includes a boat trip on the Ganga (Ganges) and a side trip to Sarnath.
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