Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti & Boating
4.6 / 5 · 154 traveler reviews
It’s a city with deep cultural experience, The sacred river of Ganga preserves the memory of thousands of years in her motherly water which flows just in the center of the city. Our tours will take you to a magnificent Sunset with Ganga Aarti (Praying to the God of the river –The Ganges) where life starts at the bank of Mother Ganga with morning eye-opener prayers by the scared priest, you can enjoy these spectacular scenes on the boat. This is a lifetime cultural experience to not MISS! While at the same places while exploring cultural heritage you will find THE END of life at Manikarnika Ghat where people are burning the dead body of loved ones. Our tours will bring you to the life and death experiences at the cultural heritage sites of Mother Ganges.
Your experience
Stop 1
Meeting Point: Agrawal Radio Chauraha Shivala4+GG4, Road, Shivala Ghat, Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India. We welcome our travelers at Green Ganga Café, located just opposite the entrance of Assi Ghat. From here, you begin by watching the evening Ganga Aarti and then continue with a boat ride to the popular ghats (piers) of Varanasi. The Varanasi Ganga Aarti is one of the most powerful spiritual ceremonies in India. Held every evening along the banks of the sacred River Ganga, this ritual is performed by trained priests who offer fire, incense, and rhythmic prayers to the holy river. The atmosphere becomes magical as lamps glow against the dark sky, devotional chants fill the air, and hundreds of devotees gather to witness the ceremony. Watching the aarti from a boat adds a truly unforgettable perspective, allowing you to experience the devotion and energy from the heart of the river itself.
Stop 2
Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most vibrant and famous ghat in Varanasi. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple. According to legend, Lord Brahma performed a grand sacrifice of ten horses here, which is how the ghat got its name. Today, it is the main site of the evening Ganga Aarti and remains constantly alive with pilgrims, sadhus, street performers, and visitors from around the world. The steps leading to the river are always active with rituals, prayers, and cultural activities, making it the spiritual heart of the city.
Stop 3
Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest and most sacred cremation grounds in India. It represents the eternal cycle of life and death and holds deep spiritual significance in Hindu belief. It is said that cremation here grants liberation from the cycle of rebirth. The sacred fire at this ghat is believed to have been burning continuously for centuries. Visiting Manikarnika Ghat offers a profound and humbling experience, revealing a powerful aspect of Varanasi’s spiritual reality.
Stop 4
The Ghats of Varanasi are a series of stepped riverfront platforms lining the banks of the Ganga. There are more than 80 ghats, each with its own history, legend, and purpose. Some are used for daily rituals and bathing, others for meditation, yoga, ceremonies, and cremations. Together, they form the cultural and spiritual backbone of the city. A boat ride along these ghats offers a complete view of Varanasi’s living traditions, where devotion, culture, and everyday life flow seamlessly along the sacred river.
What’s included
- Boat Ride (Optional)
- Experience operates everyday
- Bottled water
- Professional English speaking guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup & drop off
- Personal Expenses
- Meals & Beverages
Meeting and pickup
Our Guide will meet you with the Sun Leisure World pla card at Agarwal Radio Chauraha, just in front of Shivala Ghat, Varanasi. Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 - 15 minutes in advance.
Before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour starts at 5:00 PM in winter and at 5:30 PM in summer.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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