Varanasi — Clipahoy

Dream sequence from some age-old fable: Aerial view of Ghats in Varanasi at Dev Deepawali time

Uttar Pradesh·aerial · river

Dream sequence from some age-old fable: Aerial view of Ghats in Varanasi during Dev Deepawali celebrations Varanasi all lit up at night for Dev Deepawali celebrations along the banks of the Ganga in November 2025, as seen aerially, in this…

Hindus bathe and offer prayers with agarbatti joss sticks at polluted Ganga river in Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·river

As the longest river in India, the Ganges has a strong presence within the Hindu religion and is considered the backbone of activity within India.

Raja Ghat, Varanasi: seat of Hinduism and holy spot for cows, rituals, tonsuring and prayer

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · river

Women folks throng Varanasi on Maha Shivratri for the well being of their husbands, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · festival

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Colourfully illuminated wedding bands taking part at the Mahashivratri procession, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · festival

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Hindu sadhus being honored by Dakshina during Samashti Bhandara, Maha Shivratri at Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·festival · ceremony

The most unique food related feature of Navaratri celebration is- BHANDARA. Bhandara is a huge gathering of people for the purpose of being served a feast.

Sea of devotees on the roads and streets of the holy city of Varanasi during Maha Shivratri

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · festival

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Devotees all set for a boat ride at the holy ganges of Varanasi ghats during Maha Shivratri

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · festival

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Colourful pageantry on the Ganga river: Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi on Dev Diwali night

Uttar Pradesh·river · aerial

Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi all lit up during Dev Deepawali celebration time, as seen in aerial view.

Varanasi Ghats thronged by devotees for spiritual immersion during Mahashivaratri festival

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · festival

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Benaras Ghat - Watch and find out if this Varanasi Ganga view gives you the Covid jitters

Uttar Pradesh·river

Thousands throng the banks of the river Ganges in Benaras Ghat as Hindu devotees come here on a pilgrimage every year.

Hindu devotees attend the Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · river

Hindu devotees attend the Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. People take the evening ride on the holy river Ganges. Hindu priest chants the Mantras. Temples and flowers shops can be seen in the background.

Hindu devotees on procession marking the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · festival

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Horse chariots driven amidst massive crowds in Varanasi during Mahasivarathri Procession

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · festival

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Multitude of hindu devotees in attendance for Ganga aarti at Dashaswamedh ghat, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · river

The Varanasi Ganga Aarti takes place every sunset at holy Dasaswamedh Ghat, near Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It differs from the aartis at Haridwar and Rishikesh in that it's a highly choreographed ceremony.

Group of Hindu priests blowing Turbinella pyrum conch during Ganga Aarti puja, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · river

The Varanasi Ganga Aarti takes place every sunset at holy Dasaswamedh Ghat, near Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It differs from the aartis at Haridwar and Rishikesh in that it's a highly choreographed ceremony.

Classic Varanasi Ganga and boat sunset shot, with cacophony of bells, cymbals and gongs

Uttar Pradesh·river · boats

The classic Varanasi and Ganga boat shot at sunset, with temple and ghat arati sounds of ghanti bells and the chatter of the early evening crowd on the Dasaswamedh ghat in Benarus.

Pilgrims waiting for turns to offer prayer at Kashi Vishwanath temple on Mahashivaratri, in Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · temple

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva.

Donating cash to countless number of sadhus as they eat on at Bhandara pandal, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·festival · ceremony

The most unique food related feature of Navaratri celebration is- BHANDARA. Bhandara is a huge gathering of people for the purpose of being served a feast.

Holy saints gathered for special bhandara ceremony at Juna Akhada during Maha Shivratri, in Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·festival · ceremony

Holy saints gathered for special bhandara ceremony at Juna Akhada, Varanasi. The most unique food related feature of Navaratri celebration is- BHANDARA. Bhandara is a huge gathering of people for the purpose of being served a feast.

Boats on the Ganges at sunset, as seen over Varanasi during Dev Deepawali celebrations

Uttar Pradesh·river · aerial

Boats on the Ganges at sunset, as seen over Varanasi during Dev Deepawali celebrations Flotilla of boats at Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi by day during Dev Deepewali celebrations in Benarus Dashashwamedh Ghat Varanasi all lit up during Dev De…

Foreign couple boat past Varanasi ghat, observe bathing, cremation and clothes washing

Uttar Pradesh·river

Across the Ganges in Varanasi: Sandy river banks and people immersing in spirituality!

Uttar Pradesh·bazaar · crafts

Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed.