Sustainable Varanasi Tour: Must-See Spots and Tokens for Memory

Hey you! I see you are carrying your reusable cutlery and are also sitting forlorn at the Varanasi train station. But how can anyone be unhappy here? The ghats of Varanasi carry a peace like no other, especially for us sustainable seekers. Varanasi brings culture, spirituality, ecology, and modernity together like a living tapestry. Beautiful and serene are perhaps the only adjectives that manage to capture the soul of Varanasi with its numerous ghats, GI-tagged products, and the smell of incense in the air.

Are you scared you will miss a significant spot? Well, you are bound to, but we can help ensure you hit the best places! The numerous lists all over the internet on must-see places in the city are often unable to be curated specially for those with nature and culture beating at their heart. The eco-conscious traveller wishes to immerse herself in the local culture and nature. After all, the abundance of that is why Varanasi remains a popular destination for those with an interest in climate and social justice. 

Today, thus, let us have an eye-opening tour of local gems, climate-forward organisations and shops, and of course, trash souvenirs, failing which, we will stop and visit some sustainable gift stores that represent the spirit of Varanasi while uplifting its people and protecting, if not regenerating, its ecology. 

We will wander through places of cultural and cinematic significance before seeing some Banarasi silk sarees, on our walk through the galis and ghats of what was once Banaras. First stop? Divinity. 

Varanasi Religious and Sustainable Spots to Feel the Divine in You

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Yes, this is a place that’s mentioned on every list, but there is a good reason: we are starting here. As a person who appreciates the importance of art and wishes to understand Indian art, these temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the cosmic mystic, are unskippable for us. This architecture stands as a testament to art through the ages, and how joy can come from things other than consumption. Such as art, companionship, spirituality, culture, and experiences. Which is why this evening, we will stop at the Ghats and witness the otherworldly experience of the Ganga Aarti. For now, it is still day and  Varanasi holds at its heart many cultures. Ek nahi anek as they say. 

Next up we have something that was expanded during the times of Emperor Ashoka. No, not the trend! The King who gave up a war he had won because he saw the human cost of it and turned to Buddhism instead. 

Come, friend, and enter…

2. The Dhamek Stupa

You, our sustainable tourist, will also be enthralled by the beauty of the Shamek Stupa, even if you are not Buddhist. This is where the Buddha gave his first sermon, teaching important values like ahimsa or non-violence, mindfulness, moving away from material desire, and taking the middle path. How many of these align with sustainable living! Today, this structure is under the ASI or the Architectural Survey of India, to ensure it gets the upkeep it deserves.

Here, we will stop at the village nearby and shop for the GI-tagged Banarasi sarees. This Tag by the Government of India is bestowed to honour traditional handicrafts and protect the knowledge that goes into making them. Sarees are not just fashion, they are an innovation by ancient Indians against the heat and with rising temperatures according to creators. Today, thanks to global warming, we need more clothing that can cool us down on our hot girl walks. Plus, Banarasi sarees hold heritage; they are worn by many Indians, especially Bengali brides, on their weddings. The handmade designs are to die for, provided you are not vegan. Each thread is pulled through a powerloom or heirloom, as shared by DesiGirlTraveller. The GI tag for these sarees is due to their unique floral design on silk, which is not replicated on other silk sarees found in India. 

Now, it is time to stop for chai, not at a Starbucks, but the local tapri, because the tea in Varanasi is famous all across the sub-continent, as devotees returning from MahaKumbh in 2024 shared. Ready to live a blog worthy moment with the local street food? Trust me, you will discover flavours that feel like nectar. 

Done eating? Well, let’s be responsible tourists and throw away our garbage in bins or carry it back with us. Leave no trace! Or we can carry GiftGreen India’s reusable foldable cups next time!

Hurry, we will take you to a local gem in the divinity section, which is also a sustainability win for it is a historical and religious spot known for its cleanliness. 

3. Manas Mandir

On the way here, we must stop and pray at Sankat Mochan and Durga Kund. Yes, they are on Sankat Mochan Road, same as our destination. Locals will tell you that Manas Madir is a hidden gem of cleanliness. A must-visit for worshipers of Lord Rama, this is the holy site where Shree Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas, which details the trials and life of Shree Ram. Cultural fact, Sankat Mochan is another name for Lord Hanuman, who himself was a loyal devotee of Lord Rama!

What? You wish to explore Indian art, architecture, and culture through a historical lens. Yes, we understand that there are many of us history nerds in Varanasi. We will not disappoint you. Many forts and gads in India have immense sustainable architecture value, as they often combine beauty and safety with natural and ingenious rainwater harvesting, inland pools and so on. To see what lessons in durable architecture we can take home from Mughal-inspired designs, one must stop and marvel at…

4. Ramnagar Fort

Close to Varanasi Junction, my friend, this fort used to be the IT girl among Varanasi tourist destinations. It pays homage to both Lord Vishnu and Ved Vyasa, who wrote the great epic Mahabharata, one of the most significant cultural texts in Hinduism and a great example of good literature and impactful storytelling. The sustainability lessons in that epic are unmatched, especially the core idea of adharam being greedy kings exploiting the resources of Mother Earth. To a climate activist, this fort might just be a pilgrimage. As always, Varanasi reminds us of the values art and culture carry across time.

Yet, not all tourists are respectful, and the fort has fallen to a lack of cleanliness, so let us not stop here long. Still, we must be extra respectful during your homage to this site, as people reside in the fort to date. 

Now, it is almost evening. Time to witness the majestic Ganga Aarti and take a moment to let your inner artist and poet sit at the banks of the Ganges and introspect about the world. Yes, in India, we don’t stand on top of buildings and brood. Our Batmen and Spidermen would sit on the ghats in Varanasi to look forlorn over the state of the world. Many of our Bollywood heroes have done that in movies like Ranjhana and Massan, tales of lost love shot right where we are stand at the Ghats. To understand what makes Varanasi spiritually and ecologically significant, you must visit the resting place of hundreds, where Holi is played with ashes, and sit on the steps at the…

5. Banaras Ghats, especially Assi Ghat

The place of many a poet’s imagination, these ghats have seen numerous love stories and are a place filled with life and piousness. To feel one with nature and see beyond the present moment, these become a must-visit. And fear not, because even in the crowd and the smell of incense sticks, you won’t be visited by the ghosts who populate these ghats. But, you might just find serenity and a little bit of clarity, something that we who see the need for sustainable systems might be looking for.  

Feeling overwhelmed? We have just the relaxing atmosphere you need. Filled with cafes and local bookstores that allow you to carry home a token of Indian literature, Asi Ghat is the place to be. Here we can learn and grow, mingle with the residents of this beautiful city and take a moment to self-reflect and recall our purpose in the world. 

Better? 

Want to go shop for handicrafts now? We are near Dashmedha Ghat, which has a huge shopping centre for handmade items among other things. Shopping there, you support locals over fast fashion or fast decor. While we aim to eliminate unnecessary material goods that add zero value to our lives or even be eco-minimalists, art does add happiness to many of us and supports artisans and carries cultural traditions, often rooted in nature, forward. Art can also be a reflection of our times!

 Are you an art-lover? Handcraft enthusiast?  Then you are in the right place!

After you are done browsing, shopping, and supporting, let us head to the banks again for it is almost time for…

6. The Ganga Aarti

Not only is this Aarti beautiful to look at, but for devotees, it is a symbol of peace and strength. It gives you, our dear visitor, an insight into the Sanatan culture, one of the oldest in the world, with strong ties to ecological preservation. Sustainable living is the idea of meeting the needs of today while honouring those of tomorrow, and cultural love can be a need for many of us. The Ganga Aarti rings to mind ideas of being one with divinity, and what devotion can look like, giving us an escape from eco-anxiety and burnout, provided we enjoy experiences and culture such as these. 

That’s it for today and the ghats. Tomorrow, if you are still here, we will show you advances in transport, in our transition to better railways, since rail is one of the most sustainable ways to travel large distances. Due to the immense potential and need of this sector to turn the tables on emissions, a sustainable tourist, like yourself, might find immense value in visiting the…

7. BLW Compound

Banaras Locomotive Workshop is like a city within a city in Varanasi, where spare parts for electric locomotives are made, reminding us of the importance of supporting the growth and accessibility of such public transport initiatives to build eco-friendly and low-emission cities. We can see the hard work that goes into maintaining the trains we advocate for, and who knows, you might just be privy of some innovation that changes the face of sustainable transportation and tourism as a whole!

Oh no. You might feel you have experienced Varanasi, and the most sustainable gift is that of time and experience, but you haven’t been to Varanasi unless you have been to the colony of artisans and shops that we will visit next.  Supporting local art, culture, and handicrafts is an eco-friendly and ethical option for memories, my friend. Especially, if it helps keep artisans, traditional practices, and culturally relevant crafts alive, which is what items with a GI tag in India do.  Which we know the GI-tagged Banarasi sarees do. 

Do you wish to speak to the saree magicians or artisans in this city of Ghats?. Good thing that we carved out time for…

8. Design Punch Cards and other local stores

Now this place isn’t just our recommendation. YouTuber Manisha Malik, was seen here! Remember to be respectful during your visit to these stores, my friend. For you are in the presence of true artisans, who spend hours practising a craft that’s been handed down through generations. If they let you record their process or their wares, it is an honour and not something to be taken lightly.

You are saying that you don’t want to buy new? And you are plant-based, and thus banarasi sarees won’t work for you? Well, Varanasi still has gifts for you! After all, in India,  we don’t have a culture of sending guests back with empty boxes and bags. 

Say, how do you feel about upcycling and saving resources from the landfill?

9. Scarpshala

Do stop by Scrapshala whenever you stop by the beautiful city of Varanasi, especially if you want to support small, sustainable businesses. The folks at Scrapshala, working with over 100 local artisans to produce low-waste and upcycled items, are turning trash into treasure.

Yes, you are witnessing the true spirit of a circular economy on an individual business scale. A women-led initiative, yes, women-led,  the brand aims to revive Indian handicrafts and empower artisans while producing as little post-production non-biodegradable waste as possible. This to ensure that Varanasi remains the beautiful haven it is, that you just toured. The ladies at Scarpshala always endeavour to get the best of Varanasi to your homes and hearts, just like us tour writers, so that we can be a small part in your sustainable journey to help people and the planet. And yes, support can be done from home via their online website, if travel emissions are managed.

So, now that you have visited Varanasi, what are you taking back? Memories and pictures could be enough- because that is very sustainable- but if you must take a token, try and buy local to support industries within the city, whether that be something like local stationery from Lanka outside the BHU Campus or something that is more akin to a traditional memento. There are many GI-tagged handicrafts in the city of Varanasi, including Handmade Carpet of Bhadohi, and Varanasi Soft Stone Jali Work, among others. 

Hope you visit us again and do leave what you loved most in the comments. 

Editor- Briti Das

Author’s Note: This was originally commissioned by and later rejected by Scrapshala. Thank you for reading and hope this added value to your life. Your comments, shares, and likes add value to my life as a writer. After all without your community, I wouldn’t have won 30 under 30 by ETMT or Best Women’s Fiction Award by Ukiyoto Publishing. As thanks, I will be uploading two extra free poems of The Bard’s Tales on Muses_Saga for paywall free reading once our website is up again.