Diwali 2008 in Varanasi

Michelle Stephenson · Jul 6th, 2008, 20:10

Hello!

I am going to be in India for three weeks in October with my boyfriend and want to spend Diwali in Varanasi. Really excited!!! (we have 4-5 days out of our trip to be there) I know that it is on the 28th this year and after looking into it a bit I found out that it would be best to arrive in Varanasi a couple of days before the 28th and leave a couple of days after... Do you agree?

I also know that as it is really busy you need to book your hotels in advance - how much in advance do you reccomend? I am looking for double room in mid range accomodation (approx £20 per night for a double)

Also, i want to get to Varanasi from either Panna National Park or Khajuraho (where the erotic temples are) and was wondering how long the journey would be and what the best way to do it would be?

Many thanks

Michelle X

SitaParityaga · Jul 7th, 2008, 01:26

Hiya MS, and welcome to IM!

I'm going to Varanasi for Diwali as well, have made all my hotel bookings and travel arrangements last month. Earliest train reservations are three months in advance, so you have till August if you're planning to go by train, that is.

Check out the hotels listings section, thats where I found the place I'll be staying at. Staying by the water has got to be a must. so keep looking, and have a great holiday!

Darmabum · Jul 7th, 2008, 17:33

is a great idea. There are plenty of rooms in Varanasi but to get what you want, book in advance. Wish I could help with hotel selections, but my budget is less than yours. I stay at the south end of town, near Asi Ghat, much more of a neighborhood feel than Dasashawamedh-area. There is one place near Asi I might recommend - The Hotel Temple on Ganges. I believe they have a website and the possibility to book in advance. Another option in that area, though slightly further from the water (a two minute walk compared to a one minute walk), is the Hotel Haifa. The Haifa is a slightly-too-modernish-New hotel for my liking but they are good people there and the food is pretty good too.

From Khajuraho is something like a bus ride and a train, but someone will be along shortly who knows for sure. I did the trip in 2006 in a private car, took about ten hours of driving.

There is no Diwali like a Kashi Diwali. Have fun.

Michelle Stephenson · Jul 8th, 2008, 01:32

Cool! Thanks for the speedy responses guys! I think I will get by hotel booked asap maybe in the next month after checking some out... those hotels sound great and I like the idea of staying by the water and in the south end... Am dead excited!!!

will get back to my research - Looking forward to seeing what other people think!

Thanks to you both again

Mx

Jul 6th, 2008, 20:10	#1
Michelle Stephenson Michelle Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 2	Diwali 2008 in Varanasi Hello! I am going to be in India for three weeks in October with my boyfriend and want to spend Diwali in Varanasi. Really excited!!! (we have 4-5 days out of our trip to be there) I know that it is on the 28th this year and after looking into it a bit I found out that it would be best to arrive in Varanasi a couple of days before the 28th and leave a couple of days after... Do you agree? I also know that as it is really busy you need to book your hotels in advance - how much in advance do you reccomend? I am looking for double room in mid range accomodation (approx £20 per night for a double) Also, i want to get to Varanasi from either Panna National Park or Khajuraho (where the erotic temples are) and was wondering how long the journey would be and what the best way to do it would be? Many thanks Michelle X

Jul 7th, 2008, 17:33	#3
Darmabum Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho Posts: 794	I think that booking everything in advance is a great idea. There are plenty of rooms in Varanasi but to get what you want, book in advance. Wish I could help with hotel selections, but my budget is less than yours. I stay at the south end of town, near Asi Ghat, much more of a neighborhood feel than Dasashawamedh-area. There is one place near Asi I might recommend - The Hotel Temple on Ganges. I believe they have a website and the possibility to book in advance. Another option in that area, though slightly further from the water (a two minute walk compared to a one minute walk), is the Hotel Haifa. The Haifa is a slightly-too-modernish-New hotel for my liking but they are good people there and the food is pretty good too. From Khajuraho is something like a bus ride and a train, but someone will be along shortly who knows for sure. I did the trip in 2006 in a private car, took about ten hours of driving. There is no Diwali like a Kashi Diwali. Have fun. __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

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Jul 7th, 2008, 01:26	#2
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 903	Hiya MS, and welcome to IM! I'm going to Varanasi for Diwali as well, have made all my hotel bookings and travel arrangements last month. Earliest train reservations are three months in advance, so you have till August if you're planning to go by train, that is. Check out the hotels listings section, thats where I found the place I'll be staying at. Staying by the water has got to be a must. so keep looking, and have a great holiday!

Jul 8th, 2008, 01:32	#4
Michelle Stephenson Michelle Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 2	Cool! Thanks for the speedy responses guys! I think I will get by hotel booked asap maybe in the next month after checking some out... those hotels sound great and I like the idea of staying by the water and in the south end... Am dead excited!!! will get back to my research - Looking forward to seeing what other people think! Thanks to you both again Mx

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