Day by Day itineraryDay 1: Varanasi Arrival and SightseeingTo begin Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga tour, board the scheduled train or flight to Varanasi. Our tour representative would receive you at the railway station or airport from where you would be transferred to the booked hotel. Check in and relax before starting the city’s sightseeing trip. Varanasi, according to Hindu Mythology, is believed to be the place where the first ray of sun fell when the earth was created. Very close to Lord Shiva, it is considered as his special abode after Mount Kailash. Apart from hundreds of temples and several sacred ghats of River Ganga, there are Islamic structures, old world charm and silk fabrics that attract the visitors.
Visit some of the popular places like Manikarnika Ghat (where Hindus perform cremations, photography is strictly prohibited), Kaal Bhairav Temple, Banaras Hindu University and more. In the evening, get ready for the mesmerizing sight of Ganga aarti (prayer) when thousands of lamps are lit up, creating an ocean of light on the sacred bank of the holy river. Stay overnight at Varanasi.
Wake up early for Mangala Aarti (03:00-04:00 a.m., to be booked by the tourists themselves in advance) at the Jyotirlinga Temple and have Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga live darshan. The temple with its gold-plated domes is a striking structure built in the 18th and 19th centuries. The original temple was ransacked multiple times by Islamic invaders and was rebuilt every time by the ardent devotees. Apart from the Lingam, another top attraction is the Gyanvaapi (Wisdom) Well where the Jyotirlinga was once hid to protect it against destruction. Pray at the temple and return to the hotel. Have breakfast and visit Sarnath, the holy Buddhist pilgrimage town where Buddha preached for the first time after getting enlightened. Visit the top attractions like Dhamekh Stupa (built over the spot where the sermon was delivered), Ashoka Pillar and Sarnath Archaeological Museum (entry fee INR 5 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners).
Return to Varanasi and relax for some time at the hotel. Later, join us for a stupendous boat ride on Ganga and watch the evening aarti from a new perspective at Dasaswamedh Ghat. Stay overnight at Varanasi.
Start the day with the fabulous program called Subah-e-Banaras which hosts prayers, music, yoga, meditation and more at the spectacular Assi Ghat before and during sunrise. Get ready for the early morning boat ride and watch the whole city waking up, along with hosts of activities at various ghats. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Leave for airport or railway station as per the schedule and begin your journey back to home as Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga tour ends.