Where to stay??

I'm planning a trip down to Varanasi in around 18 Nov.
Probably gonna be there for 3-4 weeks.

Purpose of trip is to photograph/document the lifestyle and culture there.

So where is advisable? And I'll probably need a guide for the first few days!

I've searched on Groovy Ganges, Ganges View, Hotel Alka.

Sort of keen on Groovy Ganges, but not sure if it's abit too far from all the other ghats etc.

And anybody knows if Hotel Alka provies free internet access?

Will appreciate all your advice/tips!!!

My last six-month stay in Varanasi was at the Tiwari Lodge, three minutes (cows permitting from Asi Ghat. The owner - Raju, his wife, Rama and their family, along with the stay itself was exceptional. Raju is a Brahmin and speaks English more than very well. His knowledge of the city is second to none, and he has contacts for whatever you might want. The Tiwari is their family home, expanded and enlarged to facilitate travelers. Asi Ghat is one of the major ghats in the city and is a lively place. The Tiwari has it's own Shiva temple on the grounds. I can heartily recommend the Tiwari. Any further questions, IM me . . . always more than happy to talk Varanasi.

couldnt agree more with darmabum...my time at tiwari lodge was incredible. the family is warm and welcoming, the rooms clean and comfortable. rooms are around 150-250 rupees depending if you want a private bath. the grounds of the lodge are great to sit and relax in. the location can't be beat, it is a more relaxing neighborhood than others in varanasi. i made many friends just sitting at the chai stand on the right hand side of the street leading to assi ghat.

also if you want to cook your own food during your stay, raju will provide a propane stove.

N.Ren . . . I know that teastall well . . . was usually the only one open upon my early morning return from my sitting place at Tulsi Ghat . . . again, really happy to hear that your time at the Tiwari mirrored mine . . . the Tiwari - for some - is certainly "not" a lot of things . . . but what it "Is", is priceless . . . unexpected . . . things not often sought-out or asked-for when someone is looking for a place to stay . . . but, it is those things that the Tiwari "Is" that make it special

darmabum...if you are going back to banaras any time soon please let me know...would love to explore the city together! That tea stall is one of my favorites...nothing quite like having a good cup or chai and cigarette (awful habit i know) while watching the sun rise before taking a ride down the river. i miss that experience so much. It is true that tiwari might not be for the average traveler who wants pure comfort, but what i will say, is on my first trip i never expected to stay in something like tiwari, but found it to be the best experience on my trip. waking up late at night to go out to the court yard and finding other travelers chatting was incredible. the fact that tiwari is a hidden gem in varanasi makes it all the more special to me...part of me wonders why i am telling others of its existences

Thank you guys for the advices!!

I've confirmed my stay with Groovy Ganges!!

So excited for my trip!!

And any safety precautions or advices too!

Will appreciate that.

N.Ren . . . should we ever be in The City of Light at the same time, a walk would be amazing. Varanasi is certainly not everyone's cup of chai, nor is the Tiwari . . . I simply feel personally grateful and fortunate that both of them resonated with and for me. I can't even explain Varanasi to people . . . myself included . . . I've written short pieces about it, have written an over-100,000-word book that takes place there . . . still nothing definitive (especially about the city)(the Tiwari is more easily defined) . . . guess I'll just have to keep going - both to Varanasi and into myself . . . maybe one day I'll Know . . .

I plan to spend 3.5 days in Varanasi

i arrive the 14th of dec at 11am
and leave for new delhi via allahabad on 17th on an overnight train

How would you suggest I spend my time in Varanasi?

Some information for you here

Another older one

Here is another by an IM'er who loves Varanasi

So much to do . . . boatrides on the river are amazing. December may present problems regarding fog/no sun in the morning . . . but people still do go to the river in the morning . . . While I really liked the boats, as I was there for six months I usually sat in my place, under a tree (a monkey-filled tree) at Tulsi Ghat and watched as the people came . . . chanting . . . soft prayers in the darkness . . . temple bells from the Tulsi Das shrine next to my perch above the river . . . the narrow lanes of the old city fascinate me endlessly . . . Sarnath might be an option - very peaceful place, I used to go about once a month to "escape" . . .

Varanasi is not a place of "sites" per se . . . nothing architectural over 300 years old is standing as the city has been sacked, rebuilt, sacked, etc many times over . . . for me Varanasi is in the air . . . some aether-like, ethereal . . . something just hangs over and around the place . . . I am a people-watcher, and Varanasi has never failed to occupy that part of me . . .

If you're REALLY interested you might look up a book by Diana Eck - Banaras-City of Light . . . a religious studies professor at Harvard/Yale? she has spent a lot of time walking everywhere in the city, the book is over 300 pages of Varanasi and Varanasi only. Highly recommended

aarosh - Thank you . . . that "Here" you mentioned above is me . . . and Yes, what I feel is Love

I know that Darmabum. That is the reason I posted that link knowing how much you love Varanasi.

Hello all!

Darmabum - do you have the contact details for Diwari by any chance? It sounds exactly what I am looking for for my 5 days in Varanasi, but I cant find a phone number or email anywhere!

Thanks

Hey, trust me you will love the place.

I can look around for the phone number I use to have it. They usually have rooms open though. when are you planing to go?

N Ren - I am going from the 23rd to the 29th November, first time in Varanasi, on a tight budget, and really looking forward to getting stuck into what seems to be a very exciting city!

If you could find the number it would be amazingly helpful - I am trying to avoid turning up at Varanasi Junction without any idea of where to stay, as everytime I have done that the touts always manage to take advantage of my dazed and confused state