Things to take care while visiting Varanasi solo

Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in India. Set on the banks of river Ganga it is also the Holiest. Each year thousands of Hindus come here to wash their sins in the mighty Ganges. Many Hindus also come here to cremate their loved ones. The legend has it that the ones cremated on the ghats of Varanasi attain salvation. Additionally, there are many forts and ancient buildings people pay a visit to. It has also been the educational and cultural hub for centuries. Prominent libraries, universities like the Banaras Hindu University are what make Varanasi so popular. There are a lot of foreigners who like to visit Varanasi as they are enchanted by the picturesque and holy city.

Each place is culturally different from the other. So needs to be your behaviour, body language and what you wear. We’ve heard it from times immemorial, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” This adage holds especially true for Varanasi. One needs to be careful about not offending anyone and keeping oneself safe. So what are the various things to keep in mind when visiting Varanasi solo? Read on to know them: 

Cover yourself properly 

As mentioned earlier the city of Benares is very religious. Various deities are worshipped in the temples. So when you visit temples it is important that you cover your head and shoulders with something. Keep a scarf or dupatta to cover yourself when necessary.

Inform about your whereabouts

The world is full of bad and good people and Varanasi is no different. You must keep one person informed about where you are staying for example the name of the hotels in Varanasi, you’ll be staying at, what places you are visiting etc.  

Carefully mingle with strangers

Parents, since the times we were kids, advise us to beware of strangers. It’s time to revise the same piece of advice. Though mingling with strangers is fun, but certainly not at the cost of your safety.

Protect yourself from the menace of mosquitoes

Did you know mosquitoes kill about a million people in a year? If you don’t want to be one of them especially when you are holidaying then you should take proper measures. When you’ll sit by the ghats in the evening or the luxury resorts in Varanasi ensure that you have applied mosquito repellants. You can also wear a full sleeves light shirt over what you are wearing to keep yourself safe.

Dress according to the weather

The city of Varanasi experiences extreme climatic conditions. It’s too cold in winters and too hot in summers so the best time to visit Varanasi would be from October to March.

Respect the bulls

Shiva, the Hindu deity is widely respected in the city of Varanasi. Bulls are seen as Nandi, an ally of Shiva. Do not disrespect the bulls at any cost. It might enrage the locals.