Alamgira Mosque
Maratha chief, Beni Madhav Rao Scin-dia once built a temple dedicated to Vishnu on this site. Emperor Aurangzeb demolished it and built a mosque, which remains to this day a mixture of Hindu and Muslim elements. The lower part of the building is entirely Indian.
Bharat Mata Temple
Temple (Bharat Mata Tempie) dedicated to India as a mother, instead of the image of a god or goddess, it has a marble relief depicting the map of India. The temple was opened by Mahatma Gandhi. Non-Hindus also have access to it.
Fort Ram Nagar and museum
17th-century fort (Ram Nagar Fort), standing on the other side of the river, it is the seat of the Maharaja of Benares. The museum has an interesting collection of old ones, silver and brocade palanquin for ladies of the court, silver elephant saddles, a replica of the king's bed, rich glitters and an armory, displaying swords and old cannons (fort otw. 9.00-12.00, 14.00-17.00; 1,50 INR).
Possibilities for recreation Swimming pools Hotels, in which not only residents can use the swimming pool: Hindustan International (100 INR), Varanasi Ashok (75 INR), Clarks Varanasi (100 INR).
Joga W Malawija Bhawan, there are yoga courses and lectures on Indian philosophy at the university.
Courses, whose prices vary widely, he also runs many private teachers. Yoga Clinic at Man Mandir is worth recommending 16/19 (obok gatu Man Mandir), where the yogi Prakash Shankar Vyas offers seven-day basic yoga courses.
A boat trip on the Ganges, just like organizing a cruise. Under the bigger ghats, for example, Dasaswamedh, many boats are moored. It happens, that rickshaw drivers take tourists to small ghats, where a small number of boats makes it practically impossible to bargain. Renting a boat for an hour should cost you approx 25 INR. From time to time, morning cruises on the Ganges are organized by the Indian Corporation for. Tourism Development – ITDC.
Tours
The ITDC office used to organize tours in and around Benares. Recently, this good habit has faded away, supposedly temporarily. Information about it, is anyone organizing these trips, or not, can be consulted at any tourist office. The morning excursion program included ghats on the Ganges, several temples and a university. During the afternoon excursions, Sarnath and Ram Nagar Fort were visited.
Accommodation
In the spacious and peaceful Can-tonment district, the hotels are of a high standard, are situated in wide streets and have gardens. It is also easy to stay overnight in the newer part of the city, extending south of the train and bus stations. A bit chaotic on the Ganges, colors, crowded streets, exude the atmosphere of a holy city. The hotels in this old part of Benares are the cheapest. Additionally, the proximity of the river makes it possible to visit ghats at any time of the day. It's easier to endure the heat here, because it is colder by the river.
Whether, which hotel you choose, watch out for rickshaw drivers. Most of them are associated with a network of beaters and receive a commission from some hotels. If the rickshaw driver does not want to take you to the hotel by interpreting, that it is "closed", "overflowing", "he has burned out", "Fell into the water", or "dangerous due to Hindu-Muslim problems", it only means, that this hotel does not pay commission to rickshaw drivers. When you choose a hotel in the old town, it is best to take a rickshaw to Ghat Dasaswamedh and from there go on foot.
Accommodation – cheapest and middle category
Train Station Area Several low-cost hotels are across the street from Varanasi Junction Railway Station. These hotels are quite attractive and devoid of any atmosphere. Hotel Glory (46812) has rooms with bathrooms included in the price 60/90 INR. At the Amar Hotel (43509) a room without a bathroom costs money 50/80 INR, with bathroom 80/ 100 INR. Raj Kamal and Diwan hotels are slightly cheaper.
Tourist Bungalow (43413) it is close to the train and bus stations. It has a garden, so he doesn't complain about the lack of clients. But the prices have nothing to do with the proposed standard. A bed in a shared room costs money 25 INR, single / double with bathroom 100/125 INR, with air-cooler 150/200 INR, with air conditioning 275/350 INR. The hotel service does not try to provide any assistance to travelers who are staying here. There is a state tourist information office at the hotel, which also – excuse me – ignores his job.
Right next to Tourist Bungalow, cheaper rooms are offered by Hotel Relax (O 43503). The price ranges from 60/90 INR for room without bathroom, do 75/125 INR for a room with bathroom and 125/ 175 INR – for a room with air conditioning. Hotel Relax, and others in this area, it is very popular among tourists, when Tourist Bungalow has no vacancies.
The old Hotel Sandona has recently been refurbished next to the El Parador restaurant (single / double / triple with bathroom from 80/ 120 INR).
There are several hotels between the train and bus stations, in which it is sometimes noisy. Prices in the Nar Indra hotel (O 43586) amount 125/155 INR or 300/350 INR for rooms with air conditioning.
At Varanasi Junction, two wretiring rooms cost money 50 INR, 75 INR with air conditioning, and a bed in a common room 15 INR.
Rejon Cantonment
In the district of Cantonment, north of Varanasi Junction Station, most of the hotels are of a high standard. Among the few cheaper places to be mentioned is the popular Tourist Dak Bungalow (n 42182) at The Mail. Setting up a tent in the garden costs only 20 INR, but the price of the rooms is way overpriced – 100/ 250 INR. There is a decent restaurant next to the hotel.
Surya Hotel (rt 385930), right behind the Clarks Varanasi hotel, has a wonderful garden, and also a good chinese restaurant. Single / double costs 75/90 INR, air-conditioned rooms 275/300 INR.
Several hotels are also concentrated on Patel Nagar Street, departing from the train station. Single / double en-suite in the cheapest Temples Town (n 46582) it costs 90/130 INR. Rooms facing the street have no windows.
Each room in the neighboring Hotel Vaibhav (» 46466) has a carpet, TV, bathroom with hot water and a bathtub (200/ 250 INR, with air conditioning 375/450 INR). The hotel is clean, well-kept. Hotel India offers a similar standard (O 43309). You have to pay for a single / double here 175/ 250 INR or 300/400 INR (air conditioning). Rooms in the new part of the building may be a bit more expensive. The hotel has its own restaurant and bar.