Private Tour of Varanasi's Temples
Itinerary
After being picked up from your hotel first thing in the morning, you'll begin your tour of Varanasi's most iconic temples.
Your first stop will be the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred temples dedicated to the god Shiva. According to Hindu beliefs, a visit to this holy site, alongside bathing in the river Ganges, is one of the ways to lead oneself down the path to Moksha, or liberation. The spectacular golden-domed temple is a must-see on any trip to Varanasi, whether for spiritual reasons or to admire its magnificent architecture.
The holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and an important site to Buddhists as well, Varanasi is nevertheless home to Christian temples too. You'll visit the Protestant Saint Thomas Church and the Catholic Saint Mary's Cathedral, two fascinating reminders of the true religious diversity of India.
Next, you'll head to Shri Durga, whose intense red façade makes it an unforgettable sight. Built by a Bengali queen in the 18th century, the temple is dedicated to the warrior goddess Durga. Your guide will tell you all about its symbolism - did you know its incredible red colour represents strength and power?
Continuing your tour, you'll make further stops at Varanasi's other important religious sites, including the Nepali Mandir, the Tulsi Manas Mandir and the Bharat Mata Mandir. The latter is dedicated to "Mother India", an important deity in this area. You'll also explore some of the city's most iconic ashrams, monasteries where spiritual teachers and students live together practising meditation and yoga.
You'll finish your tour on the banks of the Ganges with a visit to its famous ghats, the steps which lead down to the sacred river. Hindus believe cremation at these holy places means eternal salvation, and the ghats are also used by those practising purification rituals.
More Information
Duration
4 hours.
Language
The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.
Included
Pick up from hotel.
English speaking guide.
Bottled water.
Snack.
When to book?
You can book up until 8 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Type of voucher
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Sustainability
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.
Our providers commit to:
- Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
- Uphold fair employment standards.
- Foster the growth of local communities.
- Preserve the integrity of local culture.
- Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
- Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
- Operate with honesty and transparency.
- Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.
This particular activity contributes as follows:
- No printing of documentation required.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
Provider
-
Yo Tours
Corporate name: Wanderung Guides Pvt. Ltd.
Pets
Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
-
Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?
A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.
-
Q - How to book?
A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.
If you have any other questions please contact us.
