The sacred ghats of Varanasi

All along Varuna and Asi River—the two tributaries of Ganges—are temples and palaces built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Below them are terraces and stairs so that everyday people can get close to the river. Each individual ghat is marked with a lingam and you can see many pilgrims taking a dip in Ganges and offering their respects to the holy river.

The most famous ghats include Asi Ghat, Tulsi Ghat and the marigold covered Manikarnika Ghat, which is one of Varanasi's two burning ghats. This is where the cremations take place and you can see the bodies in their shrouds waiting to be burned on funeral pyres.

The other must-see ghat is Dasaashwamedh Ghat, which is the best place to arrange a boat to take you out on a morning boat trip to see ghats from afar, and attend the main evening event—the grand aarti—which is conducted by five priests. The ceremony is extremely graceful, including dance using incense, camphor, flowers and lamps, offering a tribute to the holy river. Then thousands of lanterns are released in water covering it in floating lanterns, which looks divine. So that it's no wonder that people believe it's the way to heaven. There are about 4 km of ghats, and the best way to see them is from the water.