Varanasi – also called Banaras or Kashi – has always mesmerized travelers with its mysticism, ghats, and cultural chaos. Now, IRCTC makes it even more accessible.

The new Vande Bharat Express, stretching 783 km from Meerut to Varanasi in just 11 hours 50 minutes, stops at Hapur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow NR, and Ayodhya. Comfortable AC and Executive Chair Cars promise a seamless ride for explorers.

Once in the city, begin your day at Assi Ghat, watching the sunrise while Vedic chants fill the air. The Subah-e-Banaras program showcases classical music and morning rituals, giving a serene start. In the evening, witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat – a stunning spectacle of fire, smoke, and devotion.

The narrow lanes of the old city are a cultural canvas: colorful walls, ancient temples, sweet shops, and local delicacies like malaiyyo and tamatar chaat await discovery.

Don’t miss Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, echoing centuries of devotion. Finally, a boat ride on the Ganga offers a moving postcard of Banaras – from the burning pyres of Manikarnika Ghat to centuries-old palaces lining the banks.