Varanasi famously known by the name of Benaras is one of the oldest cities in India. This place is one of the important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Most of the people come to this place to wash away all the sins with a single dip into the Ganges River. The city of Light is also known as one of the fascinating cities of the world. Strolling the ghats and watching the sunrise on the River Ganga is something people crave for. Every year, lots of people come to this place for various purposes. Being one of the oldest cities, Varanasi still has those old buildings that give the ancient charm. Apart from being a home to several ghats of the Ganges, Banaras Hindu University is another very important part of the city as it is counted as one of the most prestigious universities in India.
10 Best Markets In Varanasi
Being a holy and religious city, Varanasi has a lot of markets where you can shop almost everything, clothes, accessories, handicrafts, idols, and a lot more. We are sharing a list of some of the best markets in the city where you can shop your heart out.
1. Thatheri Bazar
It is one of the most popular markets of Varanasi that is renowned for the religious artifacts made of copper metal. This place is quite noted for silk and brocades. It is the only place where the tourists can get antiques that are decorated with stone trim work. Visitors can also buy different things from brass vendors that sit on the road and sell the products. If required the products can be bargained for the price. Many shops sell silk and woolen products. This place is heaven if you want to get some home décor items.
Location: Thatheri Bazaar, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002
Timings: 10.00AM- 8.00PM
What to buy: Brass product, antiques, copper products, and religious artifacts.
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2. Vishwanath Lane
It is another such market that always remains crowded with people and visitors. One can find various types of stall on either side of the road. They display items such as beautiful and designer bangles, dupattas or even sarees. This place is also famous for buying decent textile fabrics. Visitors can also come across various types of litter toy shops all around the market. People also get wooden toys that are crafted with the utmost delicacy. Many local artists sit on the side of the road to sell, and here you can grab a great chance to bargain on the products.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 10.00AM-8.00PM
What to buy: Designer bangles, wooden toys, and décor items and dupattas.
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3. Godowlia Market
A must place to visit in Varanasi is this market. Most of the tourists come here to have a glance at this market. This place always remains busy with visitors and local people. One can find various types of shops that are lined up one by one. Household items are the main highlight of the market. This place is also famous for décor materials to hardware items and clothing materials. In short, it is the only place where one can get all the essentials of daily life. You can do some home décor shopping from here, even when you are on a budget.
Location: Dashaswmedh Road, Ramapura Luxa, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221001
Timings: 10.00AM-9.00PM
What to buy: Items of clothing and décor items
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4. Golghar
The name Golghar has been derived from the granary monument of the same that means “Round House”. It is considered one of the main markets in Varanasi that is the only place where one can buy various types of items starting from the daily requirements to gift items. The visitors can also buy various types of designer footwear and that too at a very reasonable price. This market is a one-stop-shop to get everything you need or desire for.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 10.00 AM-8.30 PM
What to buy: Designer and trendy footwear, clothing, and home decor items.
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5. Rajan Silk Market
We all know that Varanasi is famous for Benarasi sarees. One can get a wide variety and high-quality Benarasi sarees from the markets. But some markets are specialized for Benarasi sarees. Rajan Silk Market is the only place where one can get designer and trendy Benarasi sarees and that too at a wholesale price. Benarasi saree is an essential piece of clothing that every woman loves to own, but they come at a very high-price in other cities, which you can get here at a reasonable price. They are a pioneer of the Benarasi Sarees wholesale market. Apart from sarees, one can also get Banarasi dupattas, which is very much in trend these days.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 10.00M-9.00PM
What to buy: Benarasi sarees, suit, and dupattas
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6. Dal Mandi Market
It is counted as one of the most popular places in Varanasi that are reputed for selling and having shopped for wholesale garments. If you are looking for high-quality stuff at a reasonable price, then this market would be the best for you. Most of the garments that are sold by them have superior designs and quality. One can get beautiful and designer salwar suits both in stitched and unstitched form especially from this market. This is even the largest market in the entire city of Varanasi.
Location: Godaulia, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 10.00 AM-8.30 PM
What to buy: Dress materials, sarees, and other clothing items
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7. Gyanvapi
It is one of the most bustling market areas where people can get a glimpse of the famous Gyanvapi Mosque. This mosque was built by Emperor Aurangzeb. The market that is located adjacent to this mosque is very famous for selling shawls, bangles, masks of Hindu deities and other related things. The shawls that are available in this market are of high-quality. Even the colors are so uncommon that it easily draws the attention of the visitors. Another important thing that is very famous in this area is the beautiful and designer lampshades. Most of the people come here to buy such lampshades that help to enhance the beauty of the room to a great extent. They are available at a very low price.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 9.00AM-8.00PM
What to buy: Bangles, shawls, and designer lampshades
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8. Lahurabir
Shopping is just like an addiction. The more people will shop the more they will get addicted to it. In the same way, Lahurabir is the place where visitors can browse through a host on the available goods and services. Most of the retailers have their shops here. One will get shops starting from home appliances, clothes, jewelry, and other items. It is the ultimate place where one can buy all kinds of stuff of all kinds and prices. Visitors can also come across the actual process of silk weaving. Even if they can buy a costume and junk jewelry that are quite famous in this market.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 11.00AM-9.00PM
What to buy: Clothing, house décor items, home appliances, and jewelry
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9. Chowk and Urban Hatt
If anyone is looking to buy some handloom products then perhaps this can be the best place. This place is said to be the mecca for people who are passionate about handicrafts and handlooms. The Government is taking the initiative to organize cultural programs in this place, especially from October to November. It will be a great step in promoting this place.
Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 9.00AM-8.00PM
What to buy: handloom products
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10. Banaras Art Gallery
One place that is simply dedicated to art lovers. Here, you can get a wide range of arts and paintings that are done by local artists. You can also buy statues of ancient and modern styles. There is a huge variety of home décor items. You can buy pieces of art under a budget. The place is heaven for those who love to appreciate the arts. A market filled with pieces completed by the local artists.
Location: Rani Laxmi Bai Lane Assi Main Road, Varanasi 221005, India
Timings:9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
What to buy: Tribal Statues, Contemporary statues, paintings, both old and contemporary, and Bronze statues
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Varanasi is such an old city that holds its existence, right from the Mythological period. There are ample stories about this place. It is said that since the early period this place holds a vital position in the whole India civilization. It is the place that is rich in culture, traditions, and religion. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Most of the people come to this place to attain complete peace of mind by giving a dip in the Ganges. Even many foreigners also visit this place to know about Indian history in a better way. So if you have that shopaholic soul inside and want to see the best markets while on your vacation to Varanasi, these are the places where you should be.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Markets In Varanasi
Why Varanasi is famous?
There are a lot of factors that make Varanasi an important city in the pages of India. It has its mention in Indian Mythology, it is one of the ancient cities in the entire world. It is also one of the important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The city is famous for producing Banarasi sarees.
What are some of the famous markets in Varanasi?
Vishwanath Gali and Chowk are two very famous markets in Varanasi. Here, you can get almost everything like clothing, famous Benarasi sarees, home décor items, and handloom items.
What should you buy from Varanasi?
One can buy the holy water of Ganges, that are sold in bottles, Banarasi sarees or dupattas, designer and traditional footwear, and, of course, idols of Gods and Goddess.
How many ghats are there in Varanasi?
Varanasi has over 88 ghats. Most of them are used for bathing and taking a dip in Ganges waters, but 2 ghats are famous as a cremation site. The ghats ore centuries old, and many of them were rebuilt after the 17th century.
Which are the most famous ghats in Varanasi?
Though Varanasi has over 88 ghats, Dashashwamedh Ghat is the most famous one. It is located in the very heart of the city and it is one of the oldest ghats in the history in India. Its main highlight is the Ganga aarti that is done every evening and is a treat to the eyes. As per the Hindu mythology, the ghat was created by Brahma to welcome Lord Shiva.
How old is the city of Varanasi?
Varanasi is not only the oldest city in India, but it is the oldest in the history of the world. From the very fact that we get its mention in the Mythology of Hindus, it can be assumed that it is indeed one of the ancient cities, and if we believe, then the city was built by Lord Shiva himself that is roughly 5000 years ago. Many historians and researchers, however, believe that the city is 3000 years old.
Is Kashi an old name of Varanasi?
Yes, Kashi is an old name of Varanasi, and it is also called as Benaras. Varanasi is a new name given a few years ago, and the name is derived from the amalgamation of Varuna (a tributary of river Ganga), which flows to Assi ghat.
Can you bring the water of Gange with you?
Yes, you are allowed to take the water of the river Ganga in a bottle to take along with you. You can take the water from any ghats.
What are some of the must-try food in Varanasi?
Varanasi is heaven for religious people but is the same for the food lover as well. There is a lot of food options that you can try here and some of them are kachori sabzi, Malayiyo, Dahi chutney wale Gol Gappa, and chooda matar.
Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
