Private Tour of Varanasi's Temples

A tour of Varanasi's temples offers an opportunity to experience this city on the banks of a sacred river and explore its religious symbolism.

Itinerary

After being picked up from your hotel in the morning, the tour of Varanasi's iconic temples begins.

The first stop is the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to the god Shiva. A visit to this site, combined with bathing in the Ganges, is considered a path to Moksha, or liberation. The golden-domed temple is a vital aspect of a Varanasi visit, appreciated for both its spirituality and architecture.

Varanasi is central to Hinduism but also hosts Christian temples, including the Protestant Saint Thomas Church and the Catholic Saint Mary's Cathedral, showcasing India's religious diversity.

Next, the tour visits Shri Durga Temple, known for its distinctive red façade, dedicated to the warrior goddess Durga, built by an 18th-century Bengali queen. Your guide will explain its symbolism, particularly the red color representing strength and power.

Further stops include the Nepali Mandir, Tulsi Manas Mandir, and Bharat Mata Mandir, which honors "Mother India." Some iconic ashrams will also be explored, where spiritual practice occurs through meditation and yoga.

The tour concludes on the banks of the Ganges, visiting its famous ghats, where Hindus believe cremation leads to eternal salvation, and which are also used for purification rituals.