Slow Living in Varanasi

A beautiful intention! Varanasi (also called Kashi or Benares) is intensely alive — full of ritual, color, sound, and pace. Slowing down here means embracing the rhythm rather than resisting it. Below are suggestions and ideas for how to live more slowly, mindfully in Varanasi.

What does “slow living” look like in Varanasi

To “slow down” in Varanasi means:

• Letting time stretch: watching dawn light over the Ganga, meditation, sitting for hours watching river boats drift

• Prioritizing presence: doing fewer sites, spending more time in each

• Connecting more deeply with people: local shops, tea with residents, participating in daily life

• Ritual & silence: early morning puja, the sound of bells, chants, less talking, more listening

Places & Practices to help you slow down

Morning boat ride on the Ganga

Go before sunrise. Watch locals bathing, chants, rituals. Let the light shift slowly. Many travellers recommend beginning with this to absorb the city’s spirit. (www.wowtours.com)

Stay by the Ghats

Choose accomodation close to the ghats like NILAY House Varanasi, close to Assi Ghat, so you can walk in the morning /evening without needing vehicles.

Old City Alleys

Walk these slowly, without a tight schedule. Eat small things, talk to vendors, pause in doorways, observe architectural details.

Temples & Puja

Participate or observe rituals. Be there early in the morning or at dusk when fewer people are around. Temples like Sankat Mochan, Vishalakshi, Kaal Bhairav give quieter, more intimate experiences.

Ghats 

Ghats

Shivala Ghat is mentioned as less crowded and calmer. Also, simply sitting by any quieter ghat, reading, sketching, swimming (if safe), doing nothing.

Homestays / small guesthouses

Instead of big hotels, smaller guesthouses / homestays where life feels more anchored locally. This supports connection with hosts, home cooked meals and slower rhythms. NILAY House Varanasi encourages slow living by offering all day breakfast, herbal teas, home-cooked meals, a good selection of books about the city, helathy cooking and mindfullness.

Looking for a homestay in Varanasi? Look no further.