(Varanasi - ‘the eternal city’ also known as Benares, is often considered to be the oldest living city in the world. It is also renowned for being the birthplace of the Hindu religion and is known as Gods' City. It stands on the banks of the holy River Ganges, a city of more than a thousand temples and shrines. It is here that millions of Hindus come to wash away their sins; where the great Gautam Buddha first preached 25 centuries ago;

where Asia’s largest residential university was founded and is still a centre for art and learning. Renowned for its silk saris and carpets, Varanasi draws huge crowds of people who throng the shops to buy the famous Benarasi saris.)

Afternoon enjoy excursion to Sarnath - Sarnath temple & museum (the museum remains closed on Fridays) – where Gautam, the Buddha, arrived after attaining `sambodhi’ (enlightenment) and preached his first sermon; “All is Sorrow” – ultimately his teachings laid down the path to the cure of worldly sorrow. This is known in the Buddhist world as the turning of the religious wheel (dharma-chakra pravartana). Sarnath remained an active center of Buddhism up to the end of the twelfth century AD.

Centers of Buddhist learning arose in the temples and monasteries at Sarnath and many sects and sub-sects of Buddhism flourished here. Sarnath and Varanasi were plundered by Muslim invaders at the end of the twelfth century and razed to the ground. Enjoy the museum which displays some wonderful Buddha images.

Early morning, boat ride on holy river Ganges.– to see the ritual bathing and cremation is worth the effort of waking up before sunrise, a direct contact with life on the banks of the Ganges. Hindu pilgrims come to bath in the sacred Ganga, facing the rising sun, or at dusk, when leaf-boat lamps are floated down the river

After breakfast, visit  Varanasi City : The consists of visiting the city temples – the durga temple, better known as the Monkey temple on account of the large number of monkeys residing there and the temple of Vishwanath (or Vesheshwar "Lord of the Universe") are the most sacred spots in the city.  Visit will also include Bharat Mata or Mother India Temple and the Benares Hindu University  Also visit the Beneras Hindu University. The Banaras Hindu University or BHU is an internationally reputed University, founded in

1916. BHU played an important role in the Indian independence movement. Over a period of time, it has developed into one of the greatest centres of learning in India. The BHU has produced many great freedom fighters and Nation builders. It has immensely contributed to the progress of the nation through a large number of renowned scholars, artists and scientists. BHU has a sprawling campus, spanning across 1300 acres. It has well maintained roads (crossing each other at right angle), extensive greenery, a temple, an airstrip and buildings, which are an architectural delight. BHU  comprises of 3 Institutes, 14 Faculties, 124 Departments, 4 Interdisciplinary Centres and 3 Constituent Schools, spanning a vast rang of subjects pertaining to all branches of humanities, social sciences, science, technology, medicine, fine arts and performing arts.

Visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan located in the Banaras Hindu University. This museum displays India’s heritage. Some of the important sections in the Bharat Kala Bhavan are Nicholas Roerich gallery, Chhavi (Painting Gallery), sculpture gallery, Nidhi (Treasures) gallery, sculpture gallery, archaeological gallery, decorative art gallery and Banaras through the ages gallery. It is an art and architecture museum and houses a vast collection of paintings, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and other materials of

archaeological importance, The museum also has a great collection of miniature paintings from the courts of Mughals and other Kingdoms and principalities..

visit the Temple of Vishwanath (or Visheshwar, Lord of the Universe) in the BHU campus. Stepped in tradition and mythological legacy, Kashi is the 'original ground' created by Lord Shiva and Parvati. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was destroyed in the various invasions and was rebuilt in 1776. Hundreds and thousands of pilgrims flock to Varanasi to offer homage and wash away their sins. Vishweshwara jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living embodiment of our timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values. The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities.

Evening witness of Aarti Ceremony at Dashaswamedha Ghat on Holy River Ganges
Aarti is a Sanskrit word which stands for homage or devotion.The aarti or offering of the lamps is observed at prescribed hours of the day and night to invoke the gods. It is believed that the gods physically present themselves before devotees at this ceremony. The lamps are revolved before the idols in a clockwise manner along with the chanting of hymns. This recitation is accompanied by drums, blowing of the conch-shell and

tolling of the temple bells. At the end of the `aarti’, the priest takes a handful of water which he revolves around the god's idol. This is to pacify `agni' (the fire God), who is pressed into service in the form of the wick lamp. The lamps themselves are charged with this "Presence" and thus after the ceremony devotees collect the fumes and smear their faces with its aroma.

After breakfast morning free.
Later in time transfer to airport on time to board flight to Varanasi.
Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to the Hotel
Rest of the afternoon at leisure
Evening witness the Son-et-Lumiere (Sound & Light Show): This fascinating Son-et-Lumière spectacle evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples, the 50-minute show runs in Hindi and in English every evening.

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a half day tour of Khajuraho visiting the Western &
Eastern group of Temples
One of the most amazing sights in India, the Khajuraho temples, built between 950 and 1050 AD during the reign of the Chandela kings, are considered the high point of medieval Indo-Aryan architecture, but it is the erotic carvings on the temples that have

made Khajuraho so famous. Around the temples are bands of sculpture depicting many aspects of Indian life a thousand years ago –the time of the Chandela Rajputs, in every conceivable form, has been captured and immortalized in stone. With the wane of the Chandela empire, these magnificent temples lay neglected until they were rediscovered in the 20th century and restored.Explore the most famous temples:
Parasvanath Temple – the largest in the Eastern group of temples, it is a typically Jain temple with sculptures depicting the intricacies of everyday life in exquisite detail.
Adinath Temple – this temple is dedicated to the Jain saint Adinath and is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures.
Kandariya Mahadeo – the largest in the Western group, this temple is dedicated to Shiva. The exquisitely carved main shrine pays homage in delicate detail to gods, goddesses, celestial maidens and lovers.

Lakshmana Temple – the lintel over the entrance of this beautiful Vaishnavite temple, shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Varaha Temple – this temple also shows the various incarnations of Vishnu, with a nine-foot statue of the boar incarnation, Varaha.