05-May to 07-May 2009 at Varanasi

harimakesh

We are visiting Varanasi from 05th May 2009 for two nights. We are a family of 4 adults and 2 children.

Scindia guest house has room availability but I am not very sure how pleasant it can be staying close to main buring ghat?

Maruti Guesthouse at Asi ghat has room availability but bit far south.

Please comment on these to accommodation and any other better options please suggest.

Is it so difficult to get a Hotel accommodation? if you don't like one is it easy to find next one in Varanasi?

Also please mention by walk how much time it may take from Asi ghat to Schindia ghat? How long the distance could be? Is it possible to walk on the river bank from Scindia ghat to Asi Ghat?

How much is the charges for one hour family boat ride from Asi Ghat to Das aswametha ghat during eveinging sunset aarti?

We need to catch Purushotham express for Puri from Mugal Sarai junction. How much is the charges for auto/taxi from asi /scindia ghat to mugalsarai station?

How crowded the Kasi viswanath temple and how much time need for darshan?

What Is the ganga river water condition at Das aswametha ghat / asi ghat?

We are on a pilgrimage. Please help by answering the above queries.

Darmabum

River condition, I presume you mean?/clarity?/cleanliness? . . . it is - Officially - biologically toxic; I however have bathed in the Ganges in Varanasi numerous times (though further south, near Asi Ghat, and on the eastern shore) with no ill effects.

The Vishwanath temple can get very crowded. How crowded it will be when you are there cannot be known.

The walk from Asi to the area of the main ghat can take anywhere from half an hour to an hour or so, with children, perhaps longer. You should be able to walk along the river.

There are many hotels in Varanasi, in May you should have little trouble finding accomodation.

Though I always stay at Asi ghat, I can't imagine being near Manikarnika should present any real smoke problems, unless the wind is blowing directly into your room.

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Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

harimakesh

Hi all please advise:

In Varanasi Which of the three is better one to stay with family (with elderly members and small children) ?

1) Scindhia Guest House
2) Alka Hotel
3) Maruti Guesthouse (Assi)

We will be visiting Varanasi on 05th May 2009.

Thanks

delhiwala

I stayed at Yogi Lodge, near the temple, it was good.

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harimakesh

Any email / Phone numbers of Yogi Lodge?

delhiwala

I'll check from my journal and will post. However let me tell you it's small place, basically an old house converted into hotel. But is very popular with tourists. It's close to the Ghats and Temple.

Eastern Mind

I've heard that the Kasi Viswanath temple can be difficult to enter for westerners. Since I want to go there within 2 years now, I would appreciate any advice or comments on this.