Day 1 - Arrive Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi. Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Picturesquely situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga, Varanasi, one of the ancient sites of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. From time immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year.
CITY/ TEMPLE TOUR OF VARANASI
Visit Kashi Vishvnath Temple - It is also known as the Golden Temple, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. This is the holiest spot in the city, Bharat Mata Temple - A unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble, instead of the customary gods and goddesses. Mahatma Gandhi, opened this unique temple, which was gifted, by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Shri Durga Prasad. Tulsi Manas Temple - In the modern marble sikhara-style, Tulsi Manas Temple was built in 1964 by a philanthropist family of Varanasi and is devoted to Lord Rama. An exquisite structure of white marble, it has the verses and scenes of Ram Charit Manas engraved on its walls. Evening witness live Aarti Ceremony onbank of River Ganges
Later in the evening witness Aarti ceremony - The Aarti Ceremony can be defined to be a Hindu ritual in which light or fire, which is lit with the help of wicks, soaked in ghee or clarified butter is offered as a means of worship to the deities. Almost all the Hindu rituals of worship involve the ceremony of Aarti. Perhaps the earliest mention of the Ceremony of Aarti in India can be found in Rig Veda, which is considered to be the earliest scripture of Hinduism. According to the Rig Veda, the use of Aarti can be said to be derived from the Vedic concepts of elaborate sacrificial fires or Homa. The word Aarti can be itself said to be derived from a conjunction of the two words of "Aa", meaning "towards", and "Rati", which in turn means "the highest love for God" in Sanskrit. Thus, the word Aarti in actuality means the "highest love for God. Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 2 Varanasi
MORNING BOAT RIDE IN GANGES
Early morning transfer to the Ghats for boat ride on the river Ganges. At dawn-the ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride from the Dasaswamedh ghat along the ghats gives you vantage views of these activities. Later Take holy dip in Ganges with walking in Kashi vishwanath lanes.
SARNATH TOUR
After breakfast, proceed for a visit of Sarnath, which bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding the principals of Buddhism. Visit the art collection at the Archaeological museum (closed on Fridays).
Later Shopping tour of Varanasi. Late Evening, transfer to airport to board flight for onwards Journey.
