The Ganges at Varanasi
Dashashwamedh Ghat · Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Life, death and rebirth on the Ganges, the holiest city of Hinduism.
Know before you go
- The Ganges is badly polluted, so never swim in it or drink the water
- photography is strictly banned at the cremation ghats
- don't point at people bathing.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Varanasi is the holy city of Hindus, said to have been founded by Shiva, and its rites have continued unbroken for thousands of years. The stone ghats stretching for kilometres along the west bank of the Ganges are the stage of city life: bathing and prayer at dawn, laundry drying by day, and at night Dashashwamedh Ghat ablaze with lamps for the solemn Ganga Aarti.
Local customs
- At the Ganga Aarti held every evening, priests chant while holding up fire lamps — a religious ritual visitors may watch openly
- a boat trip on the river is the classic way to see the whole sweep of the ghats.
Religion & beliefs
- Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi and having one's ashes scattered in the Ganges brings release from rebirth
- Manikarnika Ghat is the famous cremation ghat, and its rites are sacred and solemn — photography is forbidden, so keep your distance and don't gawk or make noise.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
India: some states ban alcohol completely
- Before visiting Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland or Lakshadweep, learn the alcohol rules
- Drinking or carrying alcohol in a dry area
- Drinking in parks and other public places
Drinking or possessing alcohol in a dry state can lead to arrest without bail and 5 to 10 years in prison.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
India: e-cigarettes are banned
- Leave your e-cigarette at home
- Bringing an e-cigarette into India or buying one there
E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
India: no satellite phones or GPS devices without a permit
- Before you leave, check whether your equipment needs a permit
- Carrying a satellite phone or satellite navigation device without a permit (even in transit)
Illegal; you can be fined or arrested and the device confiscated. British tourists have been arrested for this.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- The Ganges is badly polluted, so never swim in it or drink the water
- photography is strictly banned at the cremation ghats
- don't point at people bathing.
Locals appreciate DO
Locals like to bathe or do yoga at the ghats in the early morning, then start the day with a masala chai.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Arrive half an hour early for the evening Aarti, or hire a boat for a better view from the water
- the morning mist and sunrise at the ghats around 5–6 a.m. are the most beautiful
- the old city's lanes are a maze, so ask your hotel to arrange a guide.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Kachori sabzi breakfast
- Lassi
- Banarasi Paan
Kachori sabzi breakfast (fried breads with potato curry), lassi (old-town yoghurt drink), Banarasi paan (betel-leaf roll, after meals), malaiyyo (winter-morning milk-foam dessert, seasonal only), tamatar chaat (tomato chaat)
| Where to eat | Snack stalls in the old-town lanes (around Godowlia), cafés and restaurants around Assi Ghat |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | The holy city is largely vegetarian, and restaurants around the ghats mostly serve no meat or alcohol; dress appropriately and remove shoes at temples, don't drink or make noise on the ghats, and ask before photographing rituals |
| Typical price per person | INR 250–600 ≈ CNY 21–50 |
| Tips | For street food, choose busy stalls frying fresh; be careful with tap water and ice, and choose reputable shops for lassi. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Priyanka nawalramka · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Goutam1962 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Schwiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
Rangan Datta Wiki · CC BY-SA 4.0
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