8 Best Photo-Ops In Varanasi To Click Insta Worthy Photos For Those #WanderlustFeels

Besides being culturally and traditionally rich, Varanasi is a storehouse of picturesque views and interesting subjects! With the Ganga flowing through it, beautiful temples, the bustling streets, the colourful locals, all act as the perfect photo-ops! One can even call this city a photographer’s paradise so bookmark this list and click away!

1. A Sunrise/Sunset Boat Ride On The Ghats

Varanasi has more than 80 ghats, giving you just as many opportunities to click some awe-inspiring photographs! Experiencing a rising or a setting sun over the lapping waters of the Ganga, while sitting on a boat is a must experience in Varanasi. The view of the sunset or sunrise, the changing colours of the sky and the river, the colourful boats and sometimes even the flying birds, all act as the perfect subject for that perfect click!

2. Evening Ganga Aarti Ceremony

Every evening, at Dashashwamedh Ghat a group of priests offer prayers through an Agni Pooja and even though the chants and cleansing aromas filling the air can only be experienced in flesh, the whole scene makes up for some unrealistic photos. The setting sun, the priests handling huge oil lamps, the flowers, the crowd, the boats in the river and much more make up some striking images. Visit the ghat before the aarti starts (usually at 6:45 PM) to get the best spot for photographs. If you're using a DSLR, it would help to have a lens with a range of 18-200 mm for those close-up shots.

3. Bathing Rituals

According to Hindus, a dip in the Ganga can wash away all your sins and can lead to salvation. People come all the way to Varanasi to take a plunge in the cold waters ,be it in any weather or season. These bathing rituals can make for some beautiful portrait images. So, visit the various ghats of Varanasi especially during early mornings to capture the essence of these rituals.

4. People & Portraits

If clicking people interests you, then Varanasi is a paradise as you'll find a lot of interesting and different people in this city swarming the busy lanes, the serene ghats and the beautiful temples! Capture these people, locals or even the swamis in your pictures and you'll be surprised at the amount of beauty you end up capturing!

5. Street Animals 

Varanasi is an old town with a lot of narrow, snaking lanes filled with shops, people and yes a lot of street animals - monkeys, cows, dogs and bulls being the most common ones spotted. They make for interesting subjects when being fed or lazing around; the possibilities are endless! 

6. Delicious Looking Street Food

Food bloggers, rejoice! There's lots to click in Varanasi with all the drool worthy street food found here from delicious looking lassis, chaats, aloo-kachoris, mallaiyos and so much more! Explore the local areas and you'll be clicking every nook and corner of the city.

7. Picturesque Forts

Varanasi is home to some amazing forts like the Ramnagar fort or the one at the Chet Singh Ghat. These historic sites make for some mesmerizing pictures which can be taken from inside the forts or even when you're on a boat. The fact that both of these are located on the ghats of the Ganga makes it even more beautiful so head to these forts ASAP.

8. Take A Stroll Around The Malviya Bridge

Picture Credits: Ankit Pandey

If you've ever read Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Bridge-Builders’, then you would have definitely heard of this bridge which is also referred to as the Kashi Bridge or Dufferin Bridge. It's a beautifully constructed double decker bridge where the lower deck is a railway track while a road is placed on its upper deck which stretches across the whole width of the Ganga! A trip to this bridge is a must for its amazing view.

So up your Insta game by clicking photos from the above list!