Revvlog

India is full of cities steeped in spirituality and culture. Two of the major names in this list are Prayagraj and Varanasi. Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad is the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, and this place is known as Triveni Sangam. On the contrary, Varanasi is considered India’s spiritual capital and one of the continuously inhibited oldest cities in the world. So, a road trip in a self-drive car rental between these cities as a spiritual detour is a journey of faith, history, and culture.

A Visit to Mahakumbh 2025

When you are in Prayagraj, visiting Triveni Sangam is a must. In 2025, the Maha Kumbh Mela has been organized in this city. This religious pilgrimage is a cultural celebration, which showcases the rich heritage of India and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. For Hindus, it is believed that taking a dip in Triveni Sangam during the sacred bathing rituals, known as the Shahi Snans washes away sins, brings blessings, and cleanses the soul. This makes the dips the spiritual highlights of this mela.

Therefore, millions of people are visiting Mahakumbh in Prayagraj from all around the world to take the dip. Held after 144 years, in this spiritual extravaganza, sadhus, saints, and spiritual leaders perform different rituals and take-out processions. Besides, a dip in the calm water and watching the devotees performing arati creates a colorful and vibrant atmosphere. Once you visit the Mela and take a holy dip in the confluence of these rivers, don’t miss a spiritual detour to Varanasi before going back home.

The distance between Prayagraj and Varanasi is 122 KM and it takes around 2.30 hrs to reach. So, you can easily look for a “car rental near me” and reach Varanasi at your own pace.

A Spiritual Detour to Varanasi – Making Memories for a Lifetime

A “spiritual detour to Varanasi” after completing a trip to Mahakumbh is all about taking a trip to the divine city, namely Varanasi. Known as the home of the deity Viswanath and one of the holiest Shiva shrines, this is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages, which people choose to visit after their pilgrimage to the Maha Kumbh Mela. It is also said that a visit to Varanasi after taking a dip in the Triveni Sangam water can deepen your spiritual experience further.

A spiritual tour to Varanasi allows you to immerse in the rich traditions of India while exploring the iconic temples, visiting the iconic ghats, taking boat rides, and experiencing beautiful Arati ceremonies on these ghats. The sights and sounds of this holy city will captivate your soul and each corner of it will depict the spiritual journeys of people from different parts of the world.

Steeped in prehistoric traditions, this city is revered as a popular spiritual pilgrimage for Hindus. It is dotted with temples and every part of this city depicts the story of reverence and devotion. The River Ganges is not a mere water body, it is believed to be a sacred flow of water that washes away sins and purifies the soul. Besides, tourists flock to the Ghats of Ganges to offer prayers, perform various rituals, and witness the regular life of the city unfolding against the backdrop of this pious river.

Here are the key points to consider when taking a Varanasi detour after Kumbh:

Temple Visits

Varanasi is considered as the spiritual capital of India. The main attraction here is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Standing tall on the banks of the river Ganges, Varanasi cradles the temple of Kashi Viswanath where the jyotirlinga of Visweshwara, Shiva, or Vishwanath is enshrined. Thousands of devotees from different parts of the globe gravitate towards this temple every day, seeking inner peace and benediction. According to popular belief, a visit to this jyotirlinga helps one to get enlightenment while offering liberation from the eternal bondage of Maya. Besides, there are some other significant temples like Annapurna Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, etc.

Ghat Experiences

Another important part of your Varanasi detour is a visit to different ghats in Varanasi. For instance, visit the Dasaswamedh Ghat, which is well known for the Ganga Arati and the central part of the Ghat experience. Here are the details of the ghats you must explore.

1. Dashashwamedh Ghat:

This is one of the oldest and holiest attractions of Varanasi. It is well-known for the age-old tradition of Ganga Arati, a lively and elaborate ceremony that takes place every evening. The clanging cymbals, blowing conch shells, and the chant of holy mantras create a completely surreal atmosphere as the priests worship the mother river Ganges at daybreak. Besides, multiple-tier brass lamps are illuminated with numerous small frames to pay homage to this holy river.

2. Assi Ghat:

This is another popular ghat of Varanasi that draws tourists from different parts of the globe. Some of them visit this ghat for research, some for liberation, and some for solace. What makes this place a popular tourist destination is it is the junction where the river Ganges meets the Assi River. Here you will find the Shiva lingam, established under a Peeple tree and worshipped with the elaborated ritual of holy fire with clanging sound of bells and blowing conches. Besides, the air feels heavy with spiritual fervor as the priests and devotees chant mantras.

3. Manikarnika Ghat:

This is another famous ghat of Varanasi that lies on the bank of river Ganges. It houses an eternal fire, which is believed to be ablaze from prehistoric times, serving as the open crematorium. According to popular beliefs, if the blessing of life begins at Dashaswamedh, it completes its course and ends at the Manikarnika Ghat. This makes this ghat a unique place to visit in Varanasi.
You can explore these ghats on a boat ride. Apart from that, you can take a self-drive car rental from a car rental in India provider to reach these ghats.

~ Spiritual Significance
Varanasi is considered the “City of Light”. According to popular Hindu beliefs, dying on the banks of the river Ganges grants liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

~ Cultural Immersion
When you are in Varanasi, you can’t leave without a cultural immersion. Roam around the narrow lanes of this city, interact with the sadhus and local priests, and explore the vibrant street life of this city.

~ Boat Ride on the Ganges
Taking a boat ride on the Ganges in the evening or at dawn is a serene way to soak in this city’s spiritual atmosphere and witness the regular rituals of local people, priests, and saints.

Parting Thoughts

So, a detour to Varanasi after Mahakumbh 2025 Mela will be one of the memorable highlights of your spiritual trip. The trip to the sacred river Ganges, the contrast of all the bustling ghats, and the celebration of faith in the spiritual city of Varanasi paints a vivid image of the spiritual diversity of India. Starting from the sandbanks of the Sangam Ghats to the iconic ghats of Varanasi, the experience will leave you with a profound sense of peace and connection to your spiritual journey. So, this trip is the ideal blend of adventure, pilgrimage, and self-discovery. Go ahead book a car rental in Varanasi and make the most of the trip.