North Varanasi Heritage Walk Tour is one of the most popular day tours in the cultural capital of India.
Varanasi, the oldest living city of the world, is tremendously rich in terms of heritage. Varanasi, also known as Banaras & Kashi, is believed to have been found 5000 years ago by Lord Shiva. As a result, it is called city of Lord Shiva and hold immense religious significance. The holy city of Varanasi is situated on the banks of the sacred River Ganga, worshipped as Mother Ganga by the Hindus. The presence of the holiest river Ganga, scores of sandstone riverfronts or ghats and numerous temples make the city extremely holy for the Hindus. The faithful have special regards for Varanasi city in their hearts. As per Hindu mythology, death on Kashi soil is considered a means to ensure salvation and liberation from the cycle of life and death. Even, immersing the ashes in the holy river Ganga is believed to deliver emancipation from the cycle of birth and re-birth, i.e., ‘moksha’. In fact, taking a dip in the holy waters of Ganga is regarded highly by the devotees as a process to wash away all the sins.
A lot of tourists from all over the world visit Varanasi throughout the year to explore rich heritage, exotic culture and unique lifestyle. The visitors spend several days in the holy atmosphere. The city can be segmented into two sections from tourism perspective. Heritage walks are concentrated in north and south Varanasi. This division makes the exploration of Varanasi easier and more intensive. The tourists, thus, see & experience various places and monuments places in different and easy ways. It is also easy to remember the places this way and be more informative.
North Varanasi is hub of cultural, social and financial activities. North Varanasi Heritage Walk Tour is characterized by
meandering through narrow alleys, visiting highly revered temples, exploring old streets, roaming in colourful markets and
witnessing Manikarnika Ghat (the burning ghat) to observe the last rites in the Mahashmashan (महाश्मशान). This is the ghat
popular for cremation activities. Funeral rites keep on happening throughout the day.
North Varanasi Heritage Walk Tour is a private / group guided day tour of only northern part of Kashi. The tour includes all major
heritage spots in Banaras. In this tour, visiting and exploring some of the old markets of the city are also included like the
spice market and the flower market. You will be picked from your hotel or place of stay in the city around dawn hours. The tour
starts early. It can also be customised as per the preferences of the travellers but it is advised to go early so that one can
attend the morning Aarti and rituals of the temple. The first monument to be visited is Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, the temple holds immense religious significance among the Hindus as it is the first among the twelve
Jyotirlingas (द्वादशज्योतिर्लिंग). It is also called Golden Temple and Vishveswaraiya Temple. Devotees from all over the world
make sure to visit this temple. Hindu travellers will happen to attend morning aarti in Kashi Vishwanath Temple. You will
also visit another very auspicious shrine called Annapurna Devi Templ.
The next spot to explore is the main vegetable market of Varanasi which is also the oldest vegetable and fruits market of the city.
Post exploring these two places, enjoy breakfast of local delicacies in a nice & reputed restraint. Thereafter, continue your exploration.
One of the very famous temples of Varanasi is Nepali Kathwala Temple. A miniature form of Pahupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepali Temple is
built of woods from Nepal.
Hereinafter, you will be taken to the most famous burning ghat of Varanasi, i.e., Manikarnika Ghat. Cremation is one of the very common and sacred sights on select few ghats of Varanasi. Observing the last rites will be a strange experience. The funeral fire continues throughout 24 hours. It is a religious sight to view.
Flower market is one of the most prominent sights of Varanasi as well. There is a very old flower market in the city and North Varanasi Heritage Walk Tour takes you to this spot as well.
The last halt will be at spice market of Varanasi. This is the biggest spice market of Uttar Pradesh. To properly explore the market, a rickshaw ride will be carried out. It will definitely be novel and exotic experience.
North Varanasi Heritage Walk Tour takes around 4 to 5 hours to explore all of these places. After completion of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel or place of stay in Varanasi.