Airport Arrival + Walking Tour with Death & Rebirth Cremation + Attend Evening Ganga Aarti Ceremony

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi - Upon arrival at Varanasi Airport or Railway Station, a company representative will meet and transfer the operator to the reserved hotel. Please note, the representative is not permitted to enter the baggage collection area.

The operator should proceed towards the terminal building exit, where a Sacred Tour Varanasi representative will be waiting with a paging board displaying the operator’s name. Assistance will be provided for hotel check-in.

Manikarnika Ghat - In the late afternoon, a guide will pick up the operator to visit the bustling and colorful local bazaar. The lively atmosphere includes famous food shops with enticing aromas. The tour explores the city’s oldest parts, featuring numerous ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and other deities. If interested in trying lassi or other local delicacies, the guide will recommend shops offering delicious masala tea, lassi, or sweet desserts. The tour proceeds to Manikarnika Ghat, the world’s largest cremation center, operating 24/7. This unique and energetic place offers insight into why Varanasi is renowned for both life and death, celebrating rather than mourning.

Ganga Aarti - Later, the tour continues to the Main Ghat for the evening Aarti ceremony, typically held between 6:00-7:00 pm, depending on the season and sunset. The Aarti lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, involving seven priests with items such as:

1. Incense sticks (dhup)
2. Ghee lamps (deep)
3. Flowers (pushp)
4. Bell (ghanta)
5. Conch shell (shankh)
6. Fan (chamar)
7. Camphor (karpur)
   The priests perform rituals including lighting lamps, offering prayers to the Ganges, chanting mantras, waving lamps and incense, and sprinkling holy water. The mesmerizing atmosphere features:
8. Thousands of devotees and tourists
9. Soft music and chanting
10. Fragrance of incense and flowers
11. Golden sunset light
12. Reflections of the Aarti on the Ganges.
    For optimal views, consider:
13. Boats on the Ganges
14. The ghat’s steps
15. Nearby rooftops
16. The opposite riverbank.

Sunrise Boat Ride + City Tour + Visit Peaceful Sarnath

Ganges River - A morning boat ride on the Ganges River at sunrise from Dashashwamedh Ghat offers a vibrant atmosphere, making it a top destination in India. The river’s beauty and the fascinating Sadhu with painted faces captivate tourists. The private hand-rowed boat ride includes worship rituals, yoga, and touching the water’s reflection, providing peace of mind. The tour visits Manikarnika Ghat, believed to offer salvation and break the cycle of life.

Banaras Ghats - Varanasi, known as the “City of Temples,” boasts over ten thousand Hindu temples. The tour includes prominent temples and Banaras Hindu University, India’s second-largest residential university, established in 1916. The Shri Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, features stunning architecture. The tour also visits the ancient Durga Temple, known as the Monkey Temple, and the Mother India Temple, showcasing fine artwork. The Kaashi Vishwanath Temple, or Golden Temple, offers a beautiful corridor leading to the Muslim area, where handloom weavers create sarees and other textiles, providing an authentic artistic experience.

Sarnath - After lunch, the tour proceeds to Sarnath, where Lord Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon. The visit includes the Buddha Temple, ruins, votive stupas, and the Dhamekh Stupa, where Buddha taught his first speech. The tour explores Vihar and Chaitya monasteries, Deer Park, and the Mulgandhakutivihara Temple. The Bodhi Tree, a banyan tree from Bodhgaya, and the Monolithic Ashokan Pillar, where Emperor Ashoka built a pillar, are highlights. The Thai Temple features an 80-foot 9-inch Buddha statue, commemorating Buddha’s age at passing.

Dashashwamedh Ghat - The tour includes a walk around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and its corridor, built in November 2021, offering excellent photo opportunities.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple - The corridor of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the city’s principal temple, also known as the Golden Temple, is a must-visit. Donated by a king, the temple features 820 kg of gold. Thousands of pilgrims visit daily, with access restricted to Hindus and those who believe in Hinduism. The newly built corridor offers a lively atmosphere and positive energy.

Banaras Hindu University - Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is a prestigious public central university in Varanasi, India, established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malviya. As one of Asia’s largest residential universities, BHU features a vast campus with modern and traditional architecture. Offering a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, the university emphasizes research and has produced numerous scholars and leaders. Iconic structures like Vishwanath Temple and the New Vishwanath Temple contribute to BHU’s academic excellence and cultural vibrancy, attracting students worldwide.

Airport Departure

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi - Enjoy a day of self-exploration and receive assistance for airport departure according to the flight schedule.

• Local English-speaking guide for monument tours
• Entrance fees to all monuments included
• Private AC vehicle for all transfers, sightseeing, and excursions
• Rooftop seating for evening Aarti ceremony viewing
• Exclusive use of a private hand-rowing boat

• Gratitude
• Lunch
• Dinner

Join our tour to explore the spiritual heritage of the city as we showcase Varanasi’s highlights in this comprehensive three-day journey. Experience a serene boat ride on the river, witnessing all the ghats as the sun rises over the horizon. Visit the world’s largest cremation center and ancient temples in the old town. Discover Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhism, where you can see the stupa temple of Buddha and the national emblem, an antique piece of history. Witness the Aarti ceremony from a rooftop at the ghats, the best place to feel the ceremony’s vibrant energy. Additionally, stroll through India’s largest spice market, flower market, perfume shops, and the famous kachori street for a taste of local flavors.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.