An epic Guide to Varanasi in just 12 hours #QuickTrip

"Varanasi is not a city; it's an emotion, a timeless rhythm echoing through its ghats"

Gosh, 12 hours in Varanasi? It's more like a mad sprint against the clock! That's less of a trip and more of a pilgrimage sprint! But hey, if anyone can extract the essence of this ancient city in such a short window, it's me, right?

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but sometimes, that journey has to fit into a single, power-packed day! Chalo, let's make it epic!

I remember my grandmother used to say, "काशी की कण-कण में शिव बसते हैं" (Kashi ki kan-kan mein Shiv baste hain - Every particle of Kashi is resided by Shiva). And believe me, it's true. You feel it in the air, in the narrow alleys, and especially by the Ganga.

Usually, I'm all about slow travel, soaking it all in with my little princess, my queen or just friends. But sometimes, corporate commitments, or just family commitments to reach us early, gosh! leave us with these delightful little challenges. This reminds me of that time when my wife and I had only an afternoon in Mysore, and we practically ran through the shops to complete our shopping as per the plan and return back home!

This isn't just a list, my dear friends - it's a carefully orchestrated spiritual sprint, designed to give you the maximum wow factor! and leave you with a taste of this ancient city's soul.

The Golden Rule: Start Early!

This is non-negotiable, dude. Varanasi wakes up with the sun or even before, and so should you.

Phase 1: The Spiritual Awakening (05 am to 10 am)

Pre-Sun, Post-Flight

We started from Bengaluru (IT corridor) and landed at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi. Hired an auto and headed straight to Nandi Circle (Rs: 700-800/-). This is smart, man. It's a key point. As you're zooming through the streets, you'll feel that ancient energy. It’s a different vibe from our IT corridors, totally. Then, it's a brisk walk to Dashashwamedh Ghat. Oh sorry, I meant a power walk! This is where the Ganga aarti happens in the evenings, but early morning, it's just as divine, truly. No time for fancy check-ins.

The Holy Dip and a Quick Refresh

Alright, the holy dip in the Ganga. This is non-negotiable, my dear friends. It's truly a spiritual cleansing. Don't think about the crowd, just feel the ancient waters. Once you're done, fresh up quickly. I always carry a small bag with a fresh change of clothes – minimal fuss, maximum efficiency. This is where good planning helps, unlike some of my friends who always forget their towels, then borrow mine!

Fellow traveler did 'Pind Pradhan' for his ancestors (around Rs: 1200/- for Purohit) and we paid to enter boat and leave that Pind in the river where no one was taking bath (Rs: 100/- per person).

Then, we took bath in nearby public shouchalay (Rs: 10/-). Got dress changed to meet the Varanasi vibe and moved towards Kaal Bhairav temple.

The Guardian's Blessing: Kaal Bhairav Temple

Next up, Kaal Bhairav Temple. This is a must. He's considered the guardian deity of Varanasi (Kotwal of Kashi), and it's believed that a visit here is essential before you even think of stepping into Kashi Vishwanath temple. It’s like getting your entry pass stamped, you know? The atmosphere here is intense, truly powerful.

It took us Rs: 50/- per head to reach temple (one way), may be 150 for 4 if negotiated wisely.

Note: Sometimes, Auto will stop near 'Nandi circle' and we might have to walk to Gate 4 entry or Ghat by our own. No vehicles are allowed in, after certain point.

Breakfast - On the way to temple, grab a quick authentic Samosa / Kachori-Sabzi and hot Jalebi from a street vendor – trust me, it’s the fuel for your soul and your legs. And a piping hot chai in a matka glass, of course.

Phase 2: Main plot - Kashi Vishwanath Temple (10 am to 12 pm)

Locker Logistics and the Vishwanath Express Lane (Strategic Move!)

Now, the luggage. My grandmother always said, "Leave your burdens at the door." In this case, it's literally true! We found a secure locker service at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust Helpdesk. This is crucial for a smooth Darshan. Believe me, trying to navigate through those narrow lanes with luggage is like trying to code without Stack Overflow – a nightmare!

Note: Charges - Rs: 100/- per locker. For 5 bags, - we took 3 lockers as they are small in size.

Then, it's Sugam Darshan [Rs: 300/- per person that includes Prasadam t00] of Vishwanath. Ah, the "quick" Darshan! This is your VIP pass. Usually, I'd suggest taking your time, but given our timeline, this is the way to go. The sheer energy inside that temple, dude, it's something else. You feel centuries of devotion in every stone. My hands would be folded, my heart full.

We got the blessing of Lord Kashi Vishwanath within 30 mins, just in a flash!

The Sacred Chants and First Fuel-Up: Rudrabhishekam

We could squeeze in a Rudrabhishekam seva [by giving Rs: 1200/- bugs to Purohit as we could not book it before], that's fantastic! It's a powerful ritual. Even if it's a short one, the chants and the vibrations truly set the tone for our day. After all that spiritual activity, we would be starving, I bet unless we had the breakfast earlier on!

Note: If you could plan early and book the Seva online, it costs Rs: 450/- per pair and can purchase milk within the temple premises at nominal charge of Rs: 10/- per glass, based on our need/requirement.

Phase 3: Temple Run & Lunch (12 am to 02 pm)

The Trinity of Devotion: Vishalakshi, Annapoorna, and Sakshi Ganapati

Now, the temple run starts! First, the Vishalakshi Temple. She’s one of the Shakti Peethas, and the energy there is palpable. Then, Annapoorna Temple. She's the goddess of food, and honestly, after that early morning dash, you'll appreciate her blessings! It's believed that no one goes hungry in Kashi, thanks to her. Finally, Sakshi Ganapati Temple. He's the witness to your visit to Kashi. It's a tradition to visit him last, to ensure your trip is recorded in the divine books. Man, science and nature working together, or in this case, devotion and a very structured itinerary!

Our pick for lunch, Annapoorna Bojanalaya. Excellent choice! Simple, wholesome, and truly satisfying food. It’s like a warm hug for your stomach after all the walking after lot of brisk walks.

Phase 4: Alley Exploration (Fuel Up for the Final Push!) [01 pm to 04 pm]

Soon after lunch, the real temple marathon started. We hired auto for round trip [Rs: 500/- for 4 people] covering the following temples to complete our spiritual journey - Kaudi matha temple / Gavalamma (sister of Lord Vishwanath who gives us whole merit of Kashi visit (Kashi phala) and takes dice/kaudi (Gavvalu in Telugu) in return, Durga Temple (we can see idols of Nava Durgas as a added bonus), Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Tulasi Manas Mandir (where Tulsidas supposedly wrote the Ramcharitmanas), and Tridev Mandir.

This part of the day is a whirlwind of devotion, history and incredible architecture. Each temple has its own story, its own vibe. You'll be amazed at the sheer concentration of sacred spaces.

Note: All these temples close between 12:30 to 01:00 pm and re-open between 03:30 to 04:00 pm. So, we need to plan accordingly.

The Finish Line and Farewell Snacks (Back to Base!) [04 pm to 05 pm]

Finally, we were back to the helpdesk near Gate 4 of Kashi Vishwanath temple to pick our bags. We've done it!

On the way back to the airport, we grabbed Idli, dosa and some local snacks. Varanasi has some amazing street food – maybe some sweets or a quick lassi. It's important to savor those last few moments.

Reflective Wisdom:

"Kashiyaam Maranam Muktihi" – "Death in Kashi brings liberation." While that's the ultimate aspiration for many, even a 12-hour whirlwind in this ancient city can be incredibly liberating for the soul. It's a reminder that even in our fast-paced, IT-driven lives, there's always time for spiritual connection, if you just make the effort.

This isn't just a trip; it's a concentrated dose of spiritual energy. You'll carry the essence of Kashi with you, believe me. It might be short, it might be intense, but it will be unforgettable. Go for it!

We headed back to Varanasi airport by auto. (Rs: 700/- for drop off).

Attention: We missed visiting the famous ghats of Varanasi, as the flow of water was high and boats were restricted entering river for Ghat visits to tourists.

We can cover this as well in the same itinerary with proper planning, may be adding extra 01 hour to this visit.

Tips & tricks:

Wear Comfortable Footwear: We'll be doing a LOT of walking, especially through the narrow, sometimes slippery gullies or can walk bare foot if we are comfortable.

Embrace the Chaos: Varanasi is chaotic. Don't fight it, flow with it. It’s part of its charm.

Hydrate: It can get hot, so it is always better to carry water or have lassi or juice from local vendors.

Be Mindful: Especially at Manikarnika Ghat, respect the solemnity of the place. Photography might not always be appropriate.

Negotiate: For rickshaws and boats, always negotiate the fare beforehand. This is very important, else we end up paying extra bugs always.

Leave Valuables at Hotel (if booked): Or carry minimal cash and essentials, especially near crowded temple areas.

Hindi really Helps: A few basic Hindi phrases will go a long way, but most tourist areas have English speakers.

May your Kashi dash be as divine as it is daring!

And don't forget to send me a photo or drop me a note, after you visit Varanasi!

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