Subah-e-Banaras is a unique start-up by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It was started in 2014, keeping in mind the freshness offered by the beautiful city of Varanasi surrounded by the perpetually flowing the Ganges. Subah-e-Banaras on Assi Ghat in Varanasi was an initiative taken by a group of government officials forming a committee. The committee consisted of Shri Pranjal Yadav, the District Magistrate of the city, Dr.Ratnesh Verma, the chief of the Regional Cultural Centre and Shri Vishak G, the Chief Development Officer of Varanasi. The program enables the people to take initiative and join hands to present cultural activities, high spirited rituals, laden with spirituality. It has emerged as a fascinating tourist attraction in Varanasi.

Ganga Aarti is a magnificent phenomenon which occurs daily but every time you attend it, it feels like a different experience. The aarti is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, Lord Shiva, Agni, Surya and is performed every evening by a group of priests who handle huge oil lamps while chanting prayers. A number of other elements make up for the whole aarti which is about forty five minutes long. You must keep these five things in mind while attending the aarti.

Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular ghat. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: according to one, Brahma created it to welcome Shiva, and in another, Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna performed here.

The present ghat was built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in the year 1748. A few decades later, Ahilyabahi Holkar, the Queen of Indore rebuilt the ghat in the year 1774.[1] Close to the ghat, overlooking the Ganga lies the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur in the year 1737.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. The main deity is known by the names Shri Vishwanath and Vishweshwara (IAST: Vishveshvara or Vishveshvur) literally meaning Lord of the Universe. Varanasi was called Kashi ("shining") in ancient times, and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Shri Vishwanath Mandir also known as Vishwanath Mandir, Vishwanath Temple (VT), New Vishwanath Temple and Birla Temple is one of the most famous temples and biggest tourist attractions in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi. The temple is situated in Banaras Hindu University and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Shri Vishwanath Mandir has the tallest temple tower in the world with the Shikhara's height being around 250 feet.The temple is colloquially called VT, an acronym of Vishwanath Temple.[7]

The aarti is always carried out facing the River Ganga. A lot of lamps are lit during the aarti. They are usually circled out by priests. It is always done clockwise. The aarti is always accompanied by different songs sung while praising the Ganga. It is believed that the lamps acquire the power of the deity.

After the aarti, devotees are supposed to cup their hands on the lamps over the flames and touch their foreheads. This is done in order to receive gratification and purification from the Goddess Ganga.

Housed in the inner sanctum of the temple is a silver faced idol of Kal Bhairav who is seated on his vahana (vehicle), a dog and is holding a trident. Only the face of the icon decorated (with garlands) is visible to the visitors through the doorway. Rest of the icon is covered with a piece of cloth. On the rear door of the temple, there is an icon of Kshetrapal Bhairav, another aspect of Bhairava.

One of the busiest ghats on the Ganga, the Kedar Ghat can be identified by its red and white steps from a distance. Thousands come here each year to pay homage to the Gauri Kedareshwar temple. This can be reached via boat or through the narrow lanes of Bengali Tola. The temple is famous for a replica of the Kedarnath lingam of the Himalayan temple. The irregular humped shaped lingam in stone is encased within a copper railing. People only enter the temple after taking a bath in the Gauri Kund (pond) adjoining the river.

Tulsi Manas Mandir (Hindi: तुलसी मानस मंदिर) is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great historical and cultural importance in Hinduism since the ancient Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas was originally written at this place by Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century (c. 1532–1623).

In 1979 in honour of the first president of India. Rajendra Prasad this ghat was renamed, and made pucca with the aid of the Municipal Corporation of Varanasi. In fact, this ghat become northern extension of Dashashvamedha Ghat. And till overdue nineteenth century a stone statue of horse become at the ghat witnessing the "ten-horses sacrifices" accomplished through Bhara Siva Nagas in second century, that is how the antique name "Ghoda Ghat".

The name Varanasi was derived from tract of land lying in between confluence of river Varuna and Asi. Hence Varun-asi or Varanasi. Varuna and Asi join the Ganges on the north and south borders of the city.The Varuna river is a minor tributary of the Ganga, which is named after the god Varuna, the god of water. The Varuna river rises from Melhum at Phulpur in Allahabad district at 25°27′N, 82°18′E. It flows east-to-southeast for 106 kilometers via Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Jaunpur, and enters Varanasi in order to finally merge in Ganga at Sarai Mohana.

Assi Ghat is the southernmost ghat in Varanasi. It is one of the biggest ghats of Varanasi and most popular one. To most visitors to Varanasi, it is known for being a place where long-term foreign students, researchers, and tourists live. Assi Ghat is one of the ghats often visited for recreation and during festivals. On typical days about 300 people visit every hour in the mornings, and on festival days 2500 people arrive per hour. Most of the people visiting the ghat on usual days are students from the nearby Banaras Hindu University. The ghat accommodates about 22,500 people at once during festivals like Shivratri.

The best part of enjoying River Ganges is taking up a boat ride on the river. River Ganges run through the city and there are numerous ghats that connect the river to the land. In each ghat, you can find numerous boats waiting to be hired. Smaller ghats have lesser number of boats than popular ones.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is a Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India and is dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. The temple was established by famous Hindu preacher and poet saint Sri Goswami Tulsidas in the early 16th century and is situated on the banks of the Assi river. The deity was named "Sankat Mochan" meaning the "reliever from troubles".

The Ramnagar Fort is a fortification in Ramnagar, Varanasi, India. It is located near the Ganges on its eastern bank, opposite to the Tulsi Ghat. The sandstone structure was built in the Mughal style in 1750 by Kashi Naresh Maharaja Balwant Singh. At present, the fort is not in a good shape. The current king and the resident of the fort is Anant Narayan Singh, who is also known as the Maharaja of Benares even though this royal title has been abolished since 1971.

Sant Ravidas Ghat is the southernmost and largest ghat in Varanasi. To most visitors to Varanasi, it is known for being an important religious place Ravidasis with a 25 acres park known as Sant Ravidas Smarak Park.

Durga Mandir (Hindi: दुर्गा मंदिर), also known as Durga Kund Mandir and Durga Temple, is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to the Maa Durga. Durga Mandir was constructed in 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore.

As you undertake the Kashi boat ride on the holy river Ganga, immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere and visit the 5000 year old Adi Keshav Ghat as well.

The guided boat ride would take around 4-5 hours and can be undertaken in the morning or evening. The start time varies according to the prevalent weather and time of sunrise. During summers it starts around 5 am and in winters it is 6 am in the mornings. Similarly the evening tour commences at 5:30 pm in summers and 4 pm in winters.

Varanasi (UP), Apr 27 (PTI) The renovated ‘Khidkiya ghat’, popularly known as ‘Namo ghat’ because of three large sculptures in the form of hands folded in a ‘namaste’, will soon emerge as a major tourist destination here, an official said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may inaugurate the renovated ghat in his Lok Sabha constituency soon, according to the official.

Sarnath is a place located 10 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park inSarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dhamma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.