Hidden Secrets of Varanasi: Vibrant Tradition (Guided Tour)
Overview
We are local guides. Our families have lived for many generations in Varanasi allowing us to know every hidden corner of this beautiful and ancient city, along with fascinating stories about our traditions, history, religion, and ordinary people like ourselves.
Varanasi represents the soul of India. A visitor alone can never hope to uncover more than a fraction of its secrets. Still, with our help, you will be able to discover the essence of this captivating city.
Our tour will start at the meeting point, from where we will embark on a 3 hours journey to discover the most important historical and religious sites. We will visit the Ghats, crematorium, temples, narrow streets, markets and popular food stalls, but also less touristic spots that are key to understanding the reality of modern Varanasi.
During our tour, we will be sharing with you historical information and other important facts but also telling you interesting stories about our daily life, our gastronomy and our customs.
Varanasi represents the soul of India. A visitor alone can never hope to uncover more than a fraction of its secrets. Still, with our help, you will be able to discover the essence of this captivating city.
Our tour will start at the meeting point, from where we will embark on a 3 hours journey to discover the most important historical and religious sites. We will visit the Ghats, crematorium, temples, narrow streets, markets and popular food stalls, but also less touristic spots that are key to understanding the reality of modern Varanasi.
During our tour, we will be sharing with you historical information and other important facts but also telling you interesting stories about our daily life, our gastronomy and our customs.
Inclusions
- Bottled water
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Entry/Admission - Manikarnika Ghat
- Entry/Admission - Alamgir Mosque
- Entry/Admission - Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple)
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Dashashwamegh ghat, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Dashaswamedh Ghat:- Dashashwamedh ghat is one of the oldest, most spectacular and important ghat, located at the bank of the river Gange near to the old Vishwanath Temple in the Kashi. The literal meaning of the Dashashwamedh is the Ghat (river front) of the ten sacrificed horses (dash means 10, ashwa means horse, medh means sacrifice).
There are two mythologies about the ghat is that the Lord Brahma was created the Dashashwamedh ghat in order to welcome the Lord Shiva, and the second one is the Lord Brahma was sacrificed the ten horses in a yajna here. This ghat is famous for the Agni Pooja which is held here daily in the evening by a group of the priest who are dedicated to the Lord Shiva, River Ganges, Surya, Agni as well as the whole universe.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple), Lalita Ghat, , Varanasi India
Nepali Temple:- Shri Samrajeswar Pashupatinath Mahadev Mandir, also known as the Nepali Mandir, Kanthwala Mandir and Mini Khajuraho, is one of the oldest and most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.
The mandir is made of terracotta, stone and wood and took three decades to complete. The wood is termite proof. It is constructed in Nepali style of architecture and is surrounded by tamarind and ficus religiosa (peepal) trees.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Manikarnika Ghat, Ghasi Tola Road, Varanasi 221001 India
Manikarnika Ghat:- This Ghat is famous for being the sacred cremation ground for Hindus. Manikarnika Ghat is one of the holiest cremation grounds among the sacred riverfronts (Ghats), alongside the river Ganges. In Hinduism, death is considered a gateway to another life marked by the result of one's karma. It is believed that a human's soul attains moksha, and hence breaks the cycle of rebirth when cremated here.The well at the ghat is called Manikarnika Kund and was built by Lord Vishnu.
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Alamgir Mosque, Nr. Panchganga Ghat, Varanasi 221002 India
Alamgir Mosque:- Towering above Panchganga Ghat in the heart of Banaras, the Alamgir Mosque dominates the skyline of the city from along the ghats of the great Ganga. Alamgir means “Conqueror of the World”, a title Aurangzeb bestowed upon himself after becoming the 6th Mughal ruler in 1658. It’s the one monument that is instantly recognizable from wherever you are, a focal point that has attracted the attention of many artists since the 17th century. Also known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera or Aurangeb’s Mosque, the mosque was built in the 1680s on the foundations of the ancient Bindu Madhav (Nand Madho) Temple, which Aurangzeb had demolished in 1673 after capturing Varanasi in 1663.
Duration: 20 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Dashashwamegh ghat, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Dashaswamedh Ghat:- Dashashwamedh ghat is one of the oldest, most spectacular and important ghat, located at the bank of the river Gange near to the old Vishwanath Temple in the Kashi. The literal meaning of the Dashashwamedh is the Ghat (river front) of the ten sacrificed horses (dash means 10, ashwa means horse, medh means sacrifice).
There are two mythologies about the ghat is that the Lord Brahma was created the Dashashwamedh ghat in order to welcome the Lord Shiva, and the second one is the Lord Brahma was sacrificed the ten horses in a yajna here. This ghat is famous for the Agni Pooja which is held here daily in the evening by a group of the priest who are dedicated to the Lord Shiva, River Ganges, Surya, Agni as well as the whole universe.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple), Lalita Ghat, , Varanasi India
Nepali Temple:- Shri Samrajeswar Pashupatinath Mahadev Mandir, also known as the Nepali Mandir, Kanthwala Mandir and Mini Khajuraho, is one of the oldest and most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.
The mandir is made of terracotta, stone and wood and took three decades to complete. The wood is termite proof. It is constructed in Nepali style of architecture and is surrounded by tamarind and ficus religiosa (peepal) trees.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Manikarnika Ghat, Ghasi Tola Road, Varanasi 221001 India
Manikarnika Ghat:- This Ghat is famous for being the sacred cremation ground for Hindus. Manikarnika Ghat is one of the holiest cremation grounds among the sacred riverfronts (Ghats), alongside the river Ganges. In Hinduism, death is considered a gateway to another life marked by the result of one's karma. It is believed that a human's soul attains moksha, and hence breaks the cycle of rebirth when cremated here.The well at the ghat is called Manikarnika Kund and was built by Lord Vishnu.
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Alamgir Mosque, Nr. Panchganga Ghat, Varanasi 221002 India
Alamgir Mosque:- Towering above Panchganga Ghat in the heart of Banaras, the Alamgir Mosque dominates the skyline of the city from along the ghats of the great Ganga. Alamgir means “Conqueror of the World”, a title Aurangzeb bestowed upon himself after becoming the 6th Mughal ruler in 1658. It’s the one monument that is instantly recognizable from wherever you are, a focal point that has attracted the attention of many artists since the 17th century. Also known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera or Aurangeb’s Mosque, the mosque was built in the 1680s on the foundations of the ancient Bindu Madhav (Nand Madho) Temple, which Aurangzeb had demolished in 1673 after capturing Varanasi in 1663.
Duration: 20 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Covid protective measures in place to ensure the safest experience
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Jerry294
August 2023
Badal was a great walking tour guide, patiently answering any questions you have about Varanasi or India in general; and I had a few. He speaks excellent English and shows you socially, culturally, religiously as well as historically interesting places around Kashi.
Badal was a great walking tour guide, patiently answering any questions you have about Varanasi or India in general; and I had a few. He speaks excellent English and shows you socially, culturally, religiously as well as historically interesting places around Kashi.ismaelc2018
August 2023
We did the tour "Hidden secrets of Varanasi" with Badal. It was very interesting and we learned many things. Badal showed us many hindu temples, a mosque, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Gath (traditional cremations) and explained us a lot of things about hindu religion and tradition. We strongly...
We did the tour "Hidden secrets of Varanasi" with Badal. It was very interesting and we learned many things. Badal showed us many hindu temples, a mosque, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Gath (traditional cremations) and explained us a lot of things about hindu religion and tradition. We strongly recommend this tour.cdjbeattie
July 2023
Our walking tour was amazing! Everyone must do a walking tour when visiting Varanasi, and Badal's walking tour is the best. Badal is a local who's family have lived in Varanasi for generations. Badal has perfect English and is a fountain of knowledge. Badal explains things only a local would kno...
Our walking tour was amazing! Everyone must do a walking tour when visiting Varanasi, and Badal's walking tour is the best. Badal is a local who's family have lived in Varanasi for generations. Badal has perfect English and is a fountain of knowledge. Badal explains things only a local would know and helps to peel away the many layers of Varanasi giving you a glimpse into her soul. I learnt alot about Hinduism and how it is practised in Varanasi, about the different ceremonial events and day to day life here. A wonder tour I would highly recommend to anyone visiting.E7001FBnoemib
April 2023
My tour with Badal was absolutely wonderful! Good knowledge and very nice charisma. The places we visit with him are full of story and meaning. He was able to explain everything in a nice and soft way. I absolutely recomend this tour to everyone!
My tour with Badal was absolutely wonderful! Good knowledge and very nice charisma. The places we visit with him are full of story and meaning. He was able to explain everything in a nice and soft way. I absolutely recomend this tour to everyone!joliendb13
March 2023
We enjoyed the tour through the small streets of Varanasi. You have enough time to explore everything and Badal has a lot of information about the stops. Though sometimes it felt a bit ‘too pushy’ on writing a review, payment… Overall good experience!
We enjoyed the tour through the small streets of Varanasi. You have enough time to explore everything and Badal has a lot of information about the stops. Though sometimes it felt a bit ‘too pushy’ on writing a review, payment… Overall good experience!549dani_ld
March 2023
Great tour around Varanasi. Badul is a very nice and knowledgeable guide that showed me around the city’s highlights but also off the beaten track. Highly recommended!
Great tour around Varanasi. Badul is a very nice and knowledgeable guide that showed me around the city’s highlights but also off the beaten track. Highly recommended!