Located on the banks of the Hindu holy river Ganga, "The Eternal City" is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations, in a land blessed with many. Near here (at Sarnath), about twenty five hundred years ago, the Lord Buddha preached his message of Enlightenment for the very first time. Two thousand years ago, it was a well planned city, renown for its universities and places of worship.


Ganga at sunset
It has survived onslaughts by India's Mughal Emperors, who destroyed some of the ancient Hindu temples and learning centers. The famous Ghats, Hindu Temples, Muslim Mosques, and various museums are almost all worth a visit.Heritage walking tour of the city is included, as is a sunrise boat cruise on the Ganga. Maharaja Upgrade guests usually stay at the "Taj Ganges". It's advisable to use the assistance of a 'visit facilitator' when visiting religious institutions; some temples are not open to non-Hindu's; there are other areas where photography is prohibited.


Boat Cruise on the river Ganges
Boat cruise is an interesting and adventurous way of exploring numerous ghats, temples, and the rituals taking place on the banks of this holy river. Wooden boats are easily available for taking an adventurous ride in the holy water of river Ganges. These are common wooden country boats with couple of rows, a mast and two boatmen on each boat. On these wooden boats you can explore one of the most vibrant stretch of this legendary river, marked by beautiful landscape, old temples, religious ghats, and devoted people religiously flocking the river banks in large numbers. It's all there, which you can catch while enjoying a soothing boat ride on the Ganga river. A morning rides on boat across river Ganga provides amazing glimpses of the religious practices and rituals performed by thousands of devotees on the banks of river Ganga. As part of their daily worship hundreds of Hindu devotees take a holy bath in the river and offer water to Surya (Sun God). In the evening time you can leave for a special evening cruise on candle lit country boats to catch the spectacular view of grand aarti being performed by thousands of devotees.


Dasadwamedh Ghat
Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the most important Ghats of Varanasi. Dasaswamedh literally means the Ghat (river front) of ten sacrificed horses. According to legends ten horses were sacrificed by Lord Brahma to allow Lord Shiva to return from a period of banishment. In spite of the fact that Dasaswamedh is one of the oldest Ghats of Varanasi, dating back to many thousand years, the Ghat has remained unspoilt and clean.

Dasaswamedh provides a beautiful and colorful riverfront view. A large number of Sadhus can be seen performing religious rites on this Ghat. Devotees must not miss the opportunity of visiting the Dasaswamedh Ghat in the evening when after Aarti, thousands of earthen lamps are immersed in the waters of the holy Ganges and the floating lamps give a divine look to the river at dusk.