2025 Jan-India Tue 7. Varanasi.

This was a massive day of sightseeing in Varanasi. 
*Tomorrow is a free daybefore we catch the overnight train back to Delhi. I wanted to make sure I saw everything that was on my list today. I didn't want to leave anything to the last day just in case plans change, like it did for the Agra to Varanasi train departure (from the hotel leaving 1.5hrs earlier than planned...to avoid traffic jam on route).

The main sites visited today were:
1) Chaukhandi Stupa. 
2) Wat Thai Sarnath Temple and Buddha Statue. 
3) Dhamekh Stupa.
4) Archaeological Museum Sarnath. 
5) Golden Temple. 
6) Mulagandha Kuti Vihar.
7) Shechen Stupa.
8) Namo Ghat. 
9) Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple -Sinking Vishnu Temple.
10) Durga Kund.
11) Shree Durga Mata Mandir.

The first stop was the Chaukhandi Stupa, which wasn't that impressive. Tourists can just skip this stupa and simply head over to the Dhamekh Stupa and the Archaeological Museum Sarnath (combined ticket and next to each other).

The 'Sarnath area' covers a lot of temples. It is best to walk it as nothing is too far from each other. You will get tired of temples pretty quickly.

What was really annoying about the Dhamekh Stupa area were the pushy beggars. This problem even occurs by the Ganges River. Little children amd mothers tapping at your arm. I am not a fan of physical contact being made. Lucky I didn't lash out, but on occasions I did give a very stern response. 

Once I had finished with the Sarnath area I headed over to Namo Ghat. This was an area by the Ganges River that I did not want to miss out.

Up a little bit further is the confluence of the Varuna and Ganges rivers. You can actually see the difference in water colour. I have no idea which river was more polluted. I suspect that the Varuna river was worse.
There is a strange bridge that spans the Varuna. It only allows for pedestrians, bicycles and tuk tuks.

I then walked along the Ganges all the way to Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple. Glad I saw this. I was annoyed with myself for missing it yesterday. 

I went back to the hotel and had a quick hot shower. Then it was back on the road to walk over to the Shree Durga Mata Mandir. Great opportunity to take some night photos. The mandir was nice. I was more keen to get some photos of the adjoining Durga Kund, but everything seemed closed off at night. 

Tomorrow will be much more relaxed. Time to eat some nice food and chill. I have hammered enough. This northern Indian loop is nearly finished. I have one full day in Delhi (when we return) before flying off to do the southern part of India.