2-Day Private Tour: Spiritual Varanasi with Sarnath

Day 1:

Upon arrival you will be picked up from the airport or railway station in Varanasi. You can also choose to be picked up at your hotel there. Later on you will be transferred to check in to the hotel and relax. Afterwards you will visit the famous Sarnath, the “UNESCO World Heritage site”. Sarnath is a sacred place considered for enlightenment. It is the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermons and claimed the place as an important pilgrimage site for his followers after attaining spiritual enlightenment.

Here first you will visit the Chaukhandi Stupa, an elevated structure surrounded by octagonal tower. It is the gateway to Sarnath and is surrounded by lush green lawns. Next stop by the Dhamek Stupa, a remarkable structure built of stone and brick. This cylindrical pillar is engraved with delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin. Afterwards you will visit the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, a temple speaking of modernity. This structure encases unrivaled frescoes by a Japanese painter and is a rich repository of Buddhist literature.

In the evening you will be taken to visit Sarnath Museum. This is a museum that houses the finest specimens of Buddhist art and culture. It treasures an abundance of sculptures including Buddha and Bodhisattva images. After the museum your chauffeur will take you to witness Ganges arti, the ritualistic rites held every evening on the banks of Ganges. After Ganges arti you will be taken back to the hotel and stay overnight.

Day 2:

In the early morning, you will be taken on a boat excursion on the holy river Ganges where you will see the bathing ghats and cremation site. As you watch people taking holy dips in Ganges and executing the worshiping rituals on the ghats, you will feel the spirituality of the locals and it might lead you to the deeper insight into your existence in this universe.

After Ganges boat trip, you will be driven back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast your chauffeur will take you around Varanasi to visit some famous temples, Banaras Hindu University, Bharat Kala Bhavan and many other marvelous holy structures. The beauty of the temples are characterized by their uniqueness and a distinct appeal. When the tour ends, your chauffeur will transfer you to the airport, railway station or your hotel in Varanasi for your onward journey.