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Popularly known as Kashi or Benaras, the charming land of Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. It is a centre of Hindu culture, mythology, literature and art. Its origin dates back to 2500 years ago, when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati and chose to make the city their abode. Later the Aryans came and inhabited the city and thus began the trade of silk, muslin, ivory and perfumes. During the Afghan invasion and Muslim rule, Varanasi suffered a destructive phase which involved the demolition and destruction of temples. Its glory was restored during the rule of Mughal emperor, Akbar.  

 Varanasi seems to have been a part of the Indian civilisation since the beginning of time. Successive empires have made this city their trading and cultural hub, connecting the city with a broad range of cultures. From early dynasties like Mauryas and Guptas to the medieval Mughals and the British Empire, Varanasi has been subject to Greek, Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, Christian and Jain ways of life. A large number of monuments in and near the city are a testament to this diverse past. Varanasi was a very wealthy city for a long time as evidenced by the grandeur of the Ghats, public spaces and places of worship. 

Every evening, Ganga Aarti is performed on the ghats of Varanasi, the most magnificent one at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The aarti commences as dusk descends around 6 pm in winters or 7 pm in summers. Devotees usually gather 90 minutes in advance to find a suitable spot. The spectacle is viewed from the ghat steps, the rooftops of the nearby houses, shops and boats loaded at the riverbanks. It can also be viewed from the rooftop of the organizing committee's office- Ganga Seva Nidhi. The aarti takes place on seven wooden planks, each decorated with saffron clothes and Pooja items like incense sticks, conch shells, brass lamps, etc. The pooja is performed by seven pandits, involving rhythmic chanting of mantras, hymns and prayers in the praise of river Ganges. Millions of spectators gather to witness the most mesmerising and glorious event of Varanasi. The assembly is a confluence of faith, cultures and traditions coming from all parts of India and even abroad. The aarti ends with the blowing of conch shells and lighting of camphor lamps. The whole aarti takes around 45 minutes. 

 Since the temperature is low and there is a calm breeze throughout the day. Summers in Varanasi experience high and dry temperatures. It is best to avoid the summers since they are hot dry and sunny making outdoor sightseeing difficult. Monsoons are a pleasant change, with moderate to heavy rainfall, while the winters are the best time to visit Varanasi, owing to the marvellous weather conditions that elevate its beauty to a large extent. 

Allahabad’s name has been mentioned quite a few times in the Purans, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Hindu mythology states that Lord Bramha chose a land on Earth to perform a Yajna at the beginning of creation. This place was known as Prayag.

One can also find references to the city of Allahabad in the works of Huien Tsang, the Chinese chronicler. Allahabad’s British history started in 1801 when the Nawab of Oudh surrendered it to the British which was later used for military purposes by the British. The city of Allahabad has a great significance in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. After this, the city was merged with Punjab. Later, the capital of Northwest Provinces in India was shifted to Allahabad.

This culturally rich city has always been under the influence of various tribes who have tried to conquer the city at various points in time. The Marathas, the Mughals and the British have also tried to leave their mark on the land at some time or other. 

 The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad is the greatest confluence of people on earth - and by a huge magnitude. Kumbh Melas are held in four cities in India - Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain, but the one in Allahabad is way bigger than anywhere else and bigger than anything you could imagine. To give you an idea of the scale of the event - an estimated 120 million (12 cr) people visited the 2013 Kumbh Mela which was held over an area of atleast 10kms x 4kms.

The Kumbh Mela is mainly a religious aggregation - but for tourists, there is a lot to see and do. Just walking around the mela, sitting on the banks of the river and taking a dip in Sangam is an experience in itself. You can attend one of the hundreds of ashrams and listen to the sermons, or you can check out the street food which is available in abundance throughout the mela, or just be amazed by the sheer scale and size of the human gathering. If you want to get a feel of authentic, rural India - this is one of the most incredible events to do that.

The last Kumbh mela was held in 2013, which means the next big one would be held in 2025. However, if you can't wait till then, you could plan to visit during the 2019 ardh-kumbh (semi-Kumbh) mela - which is pretty big in scale itself. Otherwise, the Magh mela which is held every year is something that you can visit - although you should multiply the scale by 10 to get an idea of what the real Kumbh mela looks like. 

 The Ganga flows down from the Himalayas and meanders through almost all of North India before slowing down near Allahabad and meeting with the Yamuna that follows a similar trajectory slightly north of Ganga. This place where two real and one mythical river (Saraswati) meet is called the 'Triveni Sangam' and is one of the holiest sites for Hindus. These rivers have now become part of the lives of people of Allahabad.

The peaceful Ghats, lazy sunsets and daily aartis at the riverbanks are some of the most beautiful spectacles the city has to offer. There are many temples, forts and monuments belonging to all time periods built along the banks of the Ganga and this is a testament to the undying spirit and the immense importance the river has in Indian life. 

 The best time to visit Allahabad is during the winter months of October to March when the weather is cool and pleasant for sightseeing. Though Allahabad is accessible throughout the year, summer temperatures can get uncomfortably high, and it is best to avoid this time. During the monsoon, the Ghats may not be accessible, and there are restrictions on people bathing in the river.

Magh Mela typically happens in the month of mid-January - early March (according to Hindu Calendar), and this is the time when thousands of people flock to the town to take a dip in holy Sangam. However, the Maha Kumbh happens only once in 12 years during the same months, and should not be missed. 

 Anciently known as Uruwela, Bodhgaya was situated on the banks of river Nerajana, now known as river Lilajan. King Ashoka is believed to have built the first temple on the land. As per theory, Buddha was born in 563 BC in a land which now belongs to Nepal, on the auspicious night of Baisakhi Purnima. Born as the son of a king, Prince Siddhartha renounced his world possessions at the age of 29 and travelled far and wide in search of the eternal truth. After observing self-mortification for 6 years, he did not attain Vimukthi so he gave up the practice. He then discovered the Eightfold path which freed him from lust, hatred and delusion and thus attained enlightenment or “Buddhatva”. The tree under which he gained enlightenment is the renowned Bodhi tree. He gained numerous followers in the days to follow and the village turned into a pilgrimage centre. Emperor Ashoka himself was one of his biggest disciples and he built the famous Mahabodhi temple. The sacred village gained momentum around the 13th century and plenty of shrines and temples were built. But soon after the area fell into the hands of the brutal Turkish emperors and they ransacked the city. The British rule later restored the city to its pure sacred form. At present, the city is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrim sites and is declared as world heritage site by UNESCO. 

 Situated on the banks of river Neranjana, Bodh is a holy city in the state of Bihar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site today, Bodh was the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and earned the name Bodhisattva. Thus, the small town is believed to be the most sacred place for Buddhists. Formerly known as Sambodhi, the city still holds evidence of Ashoka's contribution to commemorate Buddha's enlightenment and preach Buddhism. The small city holds several mysteries which leaves even historians mesmerised. 

 October to March is ideal for a visit according to the weather conditions, but tourists flock here throughout the year. Post-October, a lot of monks, flock from Dharamshala to Bodh Gaya and the city is coloured with maroon robes. Dalai Lama himself spends some time here during December and January. Visitors also flock here in the month of Vaisakh (April-May) to celebrate the Buddha Purnima, the auspicious day when Siddhartha had attained enlightenment.