Varanasi - must see and how to go to Rajasthan

jimcana

I will be coming to Varanasi in mi-december from Kolkota heading off to Rajasthan and would really appreciate if some of you could give me some quick advices.
Is it worth stopping over in Varanasi and if so, for how long? 1 or 2 days?
Save for the gath, what should be seen in Varansi?
As my plan is to leave Varansai to go to Rajasthan, what is the best option?
Many thanks for your suggestions
François

rushie82

Hi, if u go below on this page u will see info about going to Rajasthan from Varansi. As far as if it is worth going to Varanasi or not there is a thread here where someone asks whether to go to varanasi or Jaipur. do a search u will find lot of useful info here. there is also a whole section dedicated to varansi here on IM. check that out to make ur decision abt Varanasi.

TracyB

I recommend that u stop in Varanasi, even for a few days, as it is definately an experience!! We recently spent 4 nights/ 5 days at the Palace on River/Rashmi Guesthouse and just had a really good time.

Take the early morning boat trip on the Ganges....and the evening boat trip...Take a rickshaw ride through the busy streets...go to Sarnath, walk through the narrow streets....Or just hang out and watch all the going on's on the banks of the Ganges...

Anyways..that was our second visit to Varanasi, but the first time we went with a tour group..and wanted to go on our own...So we really had an amazing trip, and it was especially awesome to have a Ganges River view room...

Darmabum

I've spent my last two trips to India, of six months each, in Varanasi. Powerful place. Not so much for sites as for the life that's there, for the cities sense of itself. Varanasi has occupied that site for over 3000 years. Been leveled, raised, leveled and raised again during that time.

The ghats at sunrise/sunset are magical. A boatride at both times of day is a must-do. After spending over 300 days there I think that two days is waaaaaaay too little time. Get lost in the narrow lanes of the old city . . . get to the river before the stars leave the sky/before the sun has pierced the horizon . . . watch the city come to life . . . Sarnath is fine (I used to go just to decompress some from the energy and intensity of Varanasi)

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

jimcana

"Anyways..that was our second visit to Varanasi, but the first time we went with a tour group..and wanted to go on our own...So we really had an amazing trip, and it was especially awesome to have a Ganges River view room..."

Many thanks for this advice Tracy. Just a question, where did you stay exactly?

TracyB

Hi again, we stayed at Palace on River...as i stated above...

Here is the link to the hotel...

http://www.palaceonriver.com/load.htm

If u have any other questions about it, feel free to contact me