Varanasi, the holiest city in India lies in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, situated on the banks of India’s holiest river Ganga. A major cultural and pilgrimage centre for the Hindus, who believe death in the city will bring salvation, which has subsequently become a centre to cremate the dead in the Hindu culture.

The city is famous for its ghats, which are world renowned, made of steps in stones which is a sight for the pilgrims to perform their rituals, specially the Manikarnika  and the Dashashwamedh ghats where the Hindus cremate the dead.  The city has around 84 ghats which are primarily used to perform Hindu diety rituals. You shouldn’t miss out the famous Ganga Arti on the Ganga Ghat. The Ramnagar fort  and museum is another  tourist attraction. The city also has several temples, with Kashi Vishwanbath and Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple being the most renowned. Apart from culture and spiritualism, Varanasi is also a hub of education housing one of Asia’s largest universities, the Banaras Hindu University. The city is famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works and sculpture.  While in Varanasi you must try out the famous blue lassi, one of the creamiest and the freshest you will get in North India.  The city is also famous for its wide variety of sweets and milk based products.