Trip Planner: Asia / India / Uttar Pradesh / Varanasi District / Varanasi / Sightseeing / Banaras Ghats

Banaras Ghats, Varanasi

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At Banaras Ghats, see nearly 100 riverfront steps which Hindu devotees use to access their sacred river to perform religious rituals. Observe the native people as they cleanse their spirits in the holy waters, honor their deities, and sometimes even cremate the dead. Take a boat ride on the river to witness the ceremonies from a different perspective. Some of the ghats remain private and closed for visitors, but others welcome both newcomers and regulars. Avoid bathing in the river, however, since it has became alarmingly contaminated in recent decades. Use our Varanasi itinerary builder to visit Banaras Ghats on your trip to Varanasi, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.

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Reviews

TripAdvisor

AlexRaj01

Every ghat has its own story and its a panoramic view into the cultural diversity and history of India and the Ganges. more »
Sameer V

banaras ghats are very old and historical ,it is so cleaned and well maintained,but a very good place to visit and hangout with friends.. more »
froghatforfrogmen

The divine ghats of Varanasi stand alone in the history of the world. They cannot be subjected to the same criterion by which one assesses, for example, a putt-putt course or even a particularly hygie... more »

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