Varanasi is one among the oldest hindu cities. The name of the city is coined by joining the names of two rivers varan and asi. Situated on the banks of the perinnial river Ganges it serves as a right spot for the Hindus to do the last rites for the ancestors.
There are 108 ghats around the city the predominent of it is the Harishchandra Ghat. Most of the purohits live in and around this area. In the evenings there is a arthi on the banks of the ganges. It is a must see. You should hire a boat at about 5.30 / 6 p.m. and ask the boat man to take u to that ghat The program is for about an hour and a half.
There are many temples in kasi. Every alley has a shiva temple. the main temple is ofcourse the Kasi Vishwanatha Temple and Visalakshi Temple.
Just cross over the ganges and on the other side you have the old forts and a temple where the Godess is suppossed to be without a head.
The city is stretches vertically and is approachable by walk everwhere. You also have autorickshaws, hand pulled rickshaws and buses.
Hygene is an issue. Cattle stray around freely and almost all houses rear cows and buffaloes.
We call varanasi as a holy place for the Hindus but there are muslims too and there is a mosque and a temple still. they are just divided by a wall. this goes to say that there was one religion earlier.
You get excellent curd in mud pots - a must drink.
Kasi can be visited during October to March
Stay is not an issue as there are many hotels and dharmashalas.
Food too is not an issue -you get both south indian and north indian stuff.
a must go for every hindu.
ICICI Bank has its ATM counter and there are other nationalised banks too.
You can go in groups and a dip in the ganges is refreshing.