By Quick answer: Eat kachori-sabzi and jalebi for breakfast, lassi, chaat (tamatar chaat especially), thandai, malaiyyo in winter and a Banarasi paan after dinner. Shop for Banarasi silk sarees and brocade (GI-tagged), wooden toys, glass beads, Bhadohi carpets and Nizamabad black pottery. Time your trip for Dev Deepawali, the Ramnagar Ramlila or Nag Nathaiya. Groups and schools should book transport, stays and guides together. Plan a food walk or group tour.
Famous food in Varanasi
| Dish | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Kachori-sabzi and jalebi | Lentil-stuffed kachori with potato curry | Breakfast |
| Tamatar chaat | Spiced tomato chaat unique to Banaras | Evening |
| Lassi | Thick yoghurt drink with malai | Any time |
| Malaiyyo | Saffron milk foam made overnight | Winter mornings only |
| Thandai | Chilled milk with nuts and spices | Summer and Holi |
| Banarasi paan | Betel leaf with sweet or plain fillings | After meals |
| Launglata, rabri, laal peda | Classic sweets | Any time |
Eat at busy stalls where food is fresh, carry bottled water, and avoid ice in summer if you have a sensitive stomach. A guided Banarasi food walk and silk shopping tour is the easiest way for first-time visitors.
Shopping: what to buy and where
- Banarasi silk sarees and brocade: katan, organza, georgette and tanchoi weaves, with real or tested zari. Read our Banarasi saree wholesale guide and saree shops and manufacturers guide.
- Wooden lacquer toys and glass beads: traditional Varanasi crafts.
- Bhadohi carpets: from India's carpet city, about 45 km away.
- Nizamabad black pottery: from Azamgarh district.
- Brass and copper puja items, rudraksha and gulabi meenakari jewellery.
Buy from shops that give a proper bill, and be wary of guides who insist on particular shops. For silk, ask for the Silk Mark and the zari type in writing.
Festivals and cultural experiences
| Festival | When (approx.) | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Dev Deepawali | Kartik Purnima, usually November | All ghats lit with diyas |
| Ganga Mahotsav | Around Dev Deepawali | Music and dance on the ghats |
| Ramnagar Ramlila | About a month in autumn | Ramnagar, across the river |
| Nag Nathaiya | Kartik month | Tulsi Ghat |
| Bharat Milap | Day after Dussehra | Nati Imli |
| Mahashivratri | February or March | Kashi Vishwanath and temples |
| Holi | March | Across the city |
| Buddha Purnima | April or May | Sarnath |
Hotels and boats fill up quickly around Dev Deepawali, so book weeks in advance. Classical music, Banarasi gharana concerts and evening boat rides are year-round experiences.
School excursions and educational trips
Varanasi and Purvanchal offer history, religion, science and craft in one trip: Sarnath and its museum, BHU and Bharat Kala Bhavan, Ramnagar Fort, weaving clusters, the Salkhan Fossils Park in Sonbhadra and Chunar Fort. For school groups:
- Get written permission from parents and the school, and a list of emergency contacts.
- Use registered buses with trained drivers; check the vehicle's fitness and permits.
- Keep a ratio of at least one teacher per 10 to 15 students.
- Plan meals, drinking water, first aid and toilets on the route.
See school excursions, group and corporate tours from Varanasi and from Gorakhpur.
Pilgrimage groups
Large family and community groups usually travel by tempo traveller or bus with a coordinator who manages darshan timings, dharamshala or hotel bookings, and vegetarian meals. Read our pilgrimage and Buddhist circuit guide.
Corporate tours and business travel
Companies visiting Varanasi for meetings, conferences or offsites need airport transfers, business hotels, meeting rooms and evening experiences such as a private aarti boat. Factory visits to Ramnagar Industrial Area can be combined with city tours. Our desk arranges quotes for transport, hotels and events. See hotels in Varanasi and travel agents in Varanasi.
Food and culture beyond Varanasi
Each Purvanchal district has its own flavours and crafts. Jaunpur is known for its imarti, Ballia and Ghazipur for litti-chokha and sattu, Mirzapur for its brassware and carpets, Bhadohi for hand-knotted carpets and Azamgarh for Nizamabad black pottery. Gorakhpur's Gita Press is a stop for book lovers. When you plan a regional tour, a local guide can add market visits and craft workshops along the route.
Responsible travel
Keep the ghats clean, avoid plastic, use refill stations where available, and buy directly from weavers and artisans when you can. Respect rituals and funerals on the ghats, and keep noise low in the old city's residential lanes.
Find it in your district
- School, group and corporate tours in Varanasi
- School, group and corporate tours in Chandauli
- School, group and corporate tours in Ghazipur
- School, group and corporate tours in Jaunpur
- School, group and corporate tours in Azamgarh
- School, group and corporate tours in Mau
- School, group and corporate tours in Ballia
- School, group and corporate tours in Mirzapur
- School, group and corporate tours in Sonbhadra
- School, group and corporate tours in Bhadohi
- School, group and corporate tours in Gorakhpur
- School, group and corporate tours in Deoria
- School, group and corporate tours in Kushinagar
Key takeaways
- Try kachori-sabzi, tamatar chaat, lassi, malaiyyo (winter) and Banarasi paan at busy, fresh stalls.
- Buy Banarasi silk with a bill and the zari type in writing; explore crafts from Bhadohi and Azamgarh.
- Book early for Dev Deepawali; plan school and corporate groups with registered transport and clear ratios.
Ask AI about this topic
- "Famous food in Varanasi and where to eat it"
- "Where to buy genuine Banarasi silk sarees in Varanasi"
- "Dev Deepawali 2026 date and best ghats to watch"
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous food in Varanasi?
Kachori-sabzi with jalebi, tamatar chaat, lassi, malaiyyo in winter and Banarasi paan.
Where can I buy genuine Banarasi sarees?
From established weavers and shops that give a bill and state the fabric and zari type. Look for the Silk Mark for pure silk.
When is Dev Deepawali?
On Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the Kartik month, usually in November. Check the exact date each year.
Can you arrange school trips to Varanasi?
Yes. Our travel desk shares quotes from operators for buses, stays, meals and guides for school and college groups.