Backpacking Northern India 43/45: Varanasi City

Backpacking Northern India 43/45: Varanasi City

When talking about Northern India, the city called "Varanasi" or Benares, for me mr.hotsia, is one of the destinations you absolutely must not miss. Although it is a chaotic and complex city that might overwhelm most people with its pervasive hustle in every corner, for those who enjoy absorbing cultural atmosphere and seeing real unfiltered life like me, walking around Varanasi is an intensely immersive travel experience.

I started by walking along the banks of the Ganges River, which is considered a sacred river by Hindus. Here, people gather from early morning to chant prayers, bathe, and perform various rituals. The riverside lifestyle, filled with the scent of incense and the sound of chanting, reminded me of the deep faith and beliefs deeply rooted in the hearts of the people here.

The chaos of the streets in Varanasi is unlike any other city I have encountered before, such as Bangalore where I have traveled or Mumbai, a world-class port city (seeBackpacking BangaloreandBackpacking Mumbai). Varanasi is full of narrow alleys crowded with people passing by each other, women dressed beautifully in colorful saris, children playing on the streets, and vendors shouting to attract customers. The sound of car horns and the mix of spices and street food aromas create a strangely lively atmosphere here.

I did not miss trying local food at small street stalls. Breakfast here includes crispy fried bread called "paratha" served with spicy curry, and biryani with the authentic aroma of spices. Street food in Varanasi offers intense flavors full of life, clearly different from what I have eaten in Bangalore or Chennai (Backpacking Chennai)

Another special feature of Varanasi is the "Aarti" ceremony held every evening by the Ganges River. I had the chance to sit on a boat and watch this ceremony amid candlelight and the ringing of bells echoing across the sky. It was an indescribable feeling, a beauty that blends faith and culture simultaneously.

For traveling to Varanasi, I recommend preparing yourself for the unique atmosphere and the charming chaos of this city. Traveling by local transport such as tuk-tuks or three-wheelers makes it easier to access the narrow alleys. And don’t forget to behave respectfully towards the local lifestyle and beliefs.

If you love to deeply learn about culture and are not afraid of chaos, Varanasi is a city that can easily make you fall in love. Personally, I mr.hotsia have decided that I must return on this trip to capture the atmosphere and stories that are still incomplete.

For those interested in deeply understanding Northern Indian lifestyle, besides Varanasi, I have also written about other interesting cities like Namsai, which has the beautiful and peaceful Buddha Park (Traveling Namsai), or Bangalore, the technology city that is clean and green, completely different from Varanasi.

Finally, I would like to share this trip video in case anyone wants to see real images and hear the atmosphere of Varanasi in the full mr.hotsia style.
Backpacking Northern India 43/45: Varanasi City