It started on a great note.Ten of us started for Kolkata by catching Gour express from Malda town on the night of 23rd December 2023.

We reached Kolkata ,the morning of 24th December and rushed to the airport all 😊 excited to meet the other members of our travel team.

My mom was being picked up by our friends and they were meeting us at the airport.We reached early checked in our luggage and waited for them to arrive and then we had a good breakfast tuck in at the food court.Dosa ‘s were hot and fresh and right of the tawa and cups of chai from the tea junction stall .Plus there was a mandatory dessert sampling from Flurys ,right next door.I love their chocolate cube and it’s my must-have whenever I am at the airport!

After that we waited and waited and waited.The flight was delayed significantly .Indigo gave us food  for lunch and finally the flight took off late afternoon and we reached Kashi in a blink.The flight was smooth .But the delay caused our plans to go a little haywire.

But it was the holidays and we were in a good mood.Plus I was remembering the Home Alone movies and how their Christmas holidays always ended up crazy.I was glad we skipped the crazy and it was just irritating in parts.

Now as soon as we reached Kashi we felt the vibe of this old sacred city.A place you can only visit if  Kashi Vishwanath wants you to come.

We hopped onto the Tempo Traveller .A great one with comfortable reclining chairs,phone charging ports and AC vents next to each seat .It was a 16 seater Tempo and we were 14 people plus luggage for 14.There were three kids ,four senior citizen and everyone excited.

But before we could reach the hotel Dolphin Grand, the traffic situation just infront of the hotel meant we were ten minutes from the hotel struck in an impossible traffic jam in a 16 seater car and thinking what to do.The hotel told us due to some visiting dignitaries the road in front of the hotel was now a no vehicle zone and only foot traffic allowed.They were sending help to rescue us!

So guess what?Help came.They helped us carry our luggage ,helped the senior citizens and rest of us hopped out of the car with kids in tow.We stepped gingerly over covered drains,climbed over steps ,swung around waiting two wheelers,autos and cars and thankfully reached the hotel with smiles on our face,because we were finally here and everyone was okay.

We were so happy that the multiple delays and travel fatigue simply dropped away and we decided to have a quick dinner and go exploring the night streets of Kashi .Ghat hopping at night.It sounded like the perfect post dinner plan with only one problem .Strictly walking and no car because no one had the energy to  wait through another traffic jam.Would the seniors in our group want to go for a night time stroll through the unfamiliar lanes of Kashi?Would the kids  enjoy that?

Yes yes and yes.

Even my mom with arthritis was enthusiastic about exploring the Gali’s(lanes and bylanes) of Kashi.Serpentine and lined with shops and thronging with people .The weather was cool and pleasant .Not too cold and definitely pleasant.

A note here.Kashi is one of the important pilgrimage places for Hindus in India.There are so many temples,God’s and Goddesses all around the Kashi Viswanath Mandir that it’s impossible to visit all of them.So we would be going around with a guide the next day and he was coming to have a chat with us about the itinerary.

First temple hopping was at Kedarghat.

On 25th  December morning it was first Kashi Vishwanath temple,followed by Kaal Bhairav temple,Sankat Mochan temple,Durga Kund and more.

That evening we went for  launch ride in the Ganga and then watched the Ganga Aarti.That was mesmerizing and is one of the must-do things in Kashi.

That was followed by visit to Kashi chaat Bhandar which wasn’t successful.Everyone who was in Kashi was there and we couldn’t get in.That was disappointing .But what we did late at night was walk on the streets of Kashi enjoying the sights and sounds.

The next day (26th December) morning we went for a bath at the ghats (there were changing rooms there).Ask your local guide for the best ghat for bathing because there are specific ghats for specific reasons. Like at certain ghats bathingbis done only after offering last rites .

After catching a quick breakfast our car started for a day trip to Prayagraj.

Then we went by boat to Triveni sangam ,offered puja there to the Ganga river and watched birds flying all over.The biggest problem was the extensive begging on the ghats.Unlike Kashi there seemed to be less organizational capabilities of Prayagraj administration.It was a missed opportunity. But we enjoyed the trip.

Back to Kashi we went shopping for the famous Benarasi sari .I looked in wonder at the variety of Benarasi sarees.I never knew there was even cotton Benarasi.While my friends bought a pile of them what broke my heart was when I heard,they were all machine-made!Plus they looked nothing like those at Indian Silk House exclusive or B.K Fashions  .While others went to try their luck at Kashi chaat bhandar we went to relax at the hotel.

Tamatar chaat was wonderful and they came back telling us about the wonders of flavors.S

We were at Kashi for  2 days and 2 nights .Ist night was when we reached.On the third day we visited Ayodhya en-route to Lucknow.Since it was a long route ,roadside food at local hotels were chosen depending on what ur driver suggested.At Kashi and Prayagraj we had strictly vegetarian food.Lucknow Hyatt has all varieties 

Next day it was Ayodhya which I have described here .

My saree shopping got a new life in Lucknow where I finally bought a beautiful red chikankari  saree.

But otherwise Lucknow for me didn’t have the best experience.Lucknow Hyatt overbooked us.10 rooms were reserved while we wanted 5.It took good paet pf an hour to clear the confusion.The room allotment was delayed and we loitered at the lounge while they unscrambled the mess.Rooms were spacious with zero view.The worst partHyatt charges extra for everything and wants you to get membership for accessing small indoor play areas for kids.Its breakfast buffet was complementary and they had Insufficient seating for the in house guests.The long wait was embarrassing and for kids difficult. Not family friendly according to my experience. Plus I suffered the worst food poisoning ever on my second day at Lucknow and didn’t want to try the food experiments. Be careful

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🛕 Kolkata to Kashi: A Spiritual Sojourn through Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya & Lucknow ✨

From the ghats of Varanasi to the sacred banks of the Saryu, this week-long spiritual journey blends devotion, heritage, and culture across four holy cities. Here’s how our incredible 7-day trip unfolded — perfect for pilgrims, families, and explorers alike.

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📅 Day 1: From City of Joy to City of Light

✈️ Morning Flight: Indigo Airlines from Kolkata to Varanasi – 9:30 AM departure
🏨 Check-in: Arrival & hotel check-in by noon

🕒 Afternoon:

• A serene start with a walk along Kedar Ghat, one of the oldest and most peaceful ghats in Varanasi
• Witness the timeless traditions and take in the atmosphere of sacred chants, bathing pilgrims, and temple bells

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🌅 Day 2: Soulful Mornings & Ganga Evenings

🌄 Early Morning:

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple – Attend the Mangala Aarti, seek blessings at one of the holiest Jyotirlingas
• Visit the fierce Kal Bhairav Temple, known as the protector of Varanasi

🚶‍♂️ Mid-Morning:

• Local sightseeing: Vishwanath Gali, Annapurna Temple, Bharat Mata Mandir

🚣 Afternoon:

• Enjoy a peaceful boat safari on the Ganga, viewing all the major ghats from the river — a surreal experience

🪔 Evening:

• Attend the famous Ganga Sandhya Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat — a mesmerizing visual and spiritual spectacle
• Don’t miss the floating diyas, rhythmic chants, and crowd of devoted pilgrims

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🕊️ Day 3: Onward to Prayagraj – Where Rivers Meet

🚗 Road Trip to Prayagraj

• Visit the Triveni Sangam – the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati
• Optional: Take a holy dip and perform puja at the banks
• Visit landmarks like Anand Bhavan, Bharadwaj Ashram, and Allahabad Fort (view from outside)

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🛕 Day 4: Divine Vibes of Ayodhya

🚗 Drive to Ayodhya – Birthplace of Lord Rama

Highlights:

• Ram Janmabhoomi & newly built Ram Mandir – Witness the majestic structure
• Peaceful stroll along the Saryu River ghats
• Visit Kanak Bhawan, Hanuman Garhi, and Ram Darbar temples
• Evening darshan and light show if available at the temple complex

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🕌 Day 5 & 6: Lucknow – Tehzeeb & Tunday

🚗 Drive to Lucknow – The City of Nawabs welcomes with culture and cuisine

Sightseeing:

• Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara – Marvels of Awadhi architecture.I skipped the Bhul bhulaiya(I don’t like closed spaces) and our friends almost got lost there.Definitely take a guide otherwise the other guides won’t help you inside the Bhul bhulaiya.
• Walk through Hazratganj Market for shopping & street food.We went saree shopping.
• Don’t miss iconic Tunday Kababi, Idris Biryani, and Prakash Kulfi.Mentioning what I was told.I gave this all a missed because of tummy problems .Incidentally Hyatt was where we stayed but I am not recommending that particularly.
• Optionally visit Rumi Darwaza, British Residency, and Ambedkar Park.We really enjoyed the walk at Ambedkar park.

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🛫 Day 7: Farewell from the City of Nawabs

• Check out and head to Lucknow Airport for return flight
• Carry back memories of divine darshans, soulful ghats, and delicious food

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🧳 Travel Tips:

• Book puja slots online for Kashi Vishwanath Temple.A must.
• Get a good guide.
• Wear modest, temple-appropriate clothing
• Start your day early for smoother darshans
• Respect local traditions & photography rules at temples
• Try local thalis and street snacks at every city

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📍 Cities Covered:

Kolkata ➡️ Varanasi ➡️ Prayagraj ➡️ Ayodhya ➡️ Lucknow

A perfect route blending faith, food, and heritage, this itinerary is ideal for families looking for a sacred yet enjoyable North India tour.

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