Sights of old Varanasi City

Varanasi, also known as Benares, Banaras, Kashi, "The City of Light" is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is one of the most sacred places both for Hindus and Buddhists. The Old City is teeming with life.

Click on any photo to see a larger version


In the narrow streets of Old Varanasi there are many small shrines and worshippers In a narrow street of Old Varanasi a Sadhu has set up on the pavement Beggars reach out for alms in a dark alley in old Varanasi Child playing in an alley near the silk factory, Varanasi Selling garlands outside the temple, Varanasi Small, rather dark and crowded temple, Varanasi Small, rather dark and crowded temple, Varanasi Small, rather dark and crowded temple, Varanasi Ringing the bells upon entry to the Temple,  Varanasi At the fish market, packing the fish in ice, Varanasi Sunrise over the Ganges, Varanasi.    People performing their morning exercises on the roof of a building are visible through a doorway in the wall Carrying crates of fish to the market, Varanasi The streets are crowded with pedestrians, pedicabs and motorised vehicles, Varanasi The streets are crowded with pedestrians, pedicabs and motorised vehicles, Varanasi Roadside dentist, Varanasi Balcony overlooking the street, Varanasi Angels above a door lintel in old Varanasi In the crowded lanes of old Varanasi are some amazing sights including these beautiful tiles and sanskrit inscriptions In the crowded lanes of old Varanasi are some amazing sights including these beautiful tiles and sanskrit inscriptions Everyday life in the narrow streets of old Varanasi: the old man has let his milk boil over but seems more amused than upset Everyday life in the narrow streets of old Varanasi: the old man has let his milk boil over but seems more amused than upset Shopkeeper peers from the darkness of his shop,  old Varanasi Crowds press by in the narrow and sometimes dark lanes, with the occasional sunbeam Crowds press by in the narrow and sometimes dark lanes, with the occasional sunbeam Shopkeeper boiling curds, old Varanasi This old woman sits by the textiles on display but seems to be oblivious to passersby and potential buyers This old woman sits by the textiles on display but seems to be oblivious to passersby and potential buyers Working on the sewers, old Varanasi Beggar woman and sick child, Varanasi Dhoby-wallah ironing clothes the old fashioned way Behind the scenes in old Varanasi the working conditions are not pleasant.   These men work in near darkness grinding small metal components. Silk weaver works in a room just big enough to hold the loom, Varanasi Dressed as Kali and on the way to the Ghats to collect donations, Varanasi Selling caged birds on the streets of Varanasi