BunkedUp Hostel

Varanasi

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This hostel, near the ghats and next to a lovely temple, aims to please, with a couple of mixed-gender dorm rooms (with individual fans and electrical outlets) and a women-only dorm, plus two private rooms, all with AC. The rooftop cafe has great views of the river, and there's a movie theatre in the basement. For more private rooms ask about the nearby sister hostel Neela.

Useful extras include cooking classes three times a week, free dawn yoga for beginners at Assi Ghat, a backpacker thali (₹99) and laundry service.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Boats on River Ganges

    Manikarnika Ghat

    0.65 MILES

    Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts known as doms, and…

  • 500px Photo ID: 130892773 - Photographed at Assi Ghat, Varanasi

    Assi Ghat

    1.01 MILES

    The furthest south of the main ghats and one of the biggest, Assi Ghat is particularly important as the River Assi meets the Ganges near here and pilgrims…

  • Dashashwamedh Ghat

    Dashashwamedh Ghat

    0.21 MILES

    Varanasi’s liveliest and most colourful ghat. The name indicates that Brahma sacrificed (medh) 10 (das) horses (aswa) here. In spite of the persistent…

  • Harishchandra Ghat

    Harishchandra Ghat

    0.39 MILES

    Harishchandra Ghat is a cremation ghat – smaller and secondary in importance to Manikarnika, but one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi.

  • The Golden Temple of Vishwanath, holiest temple in Varanasi (formerly Benares), entry forbidden to non-Hindus, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

    Vishwanath Temple

    0.5 MILES

    There are temples at almost every turn in Varanasi, but this is the most famous of the lot. It is dedicated to Vishveswara – Shiva as lord of the universe…

  • Vishwanath Temple

    Banares Hindu University

    2.72 MILES

    Long regarded as a centre of learning, Varanasi’s tradition of top-quality education continues today at Banares Hindu University, established in 1916. The…

  • Dhamekh Stupa & Monastery Ruins

    Dhamekh Stupa & Monastery Ruins

    5.39 MILES

    Set in a peaceful park containing monastery ruins is this impressive 34m stupa, marking the spot where the Buddha preached his first sermon. The floral…

  • Archaeological Museum

    Archaeological Museum

    5.29 MILES

    This fully modernised, 100-year-old sandstone museum houses wonderfully displayed ancient treasures, such as the very well-preserved, 3rd-century-BC lion…

View more attractions

Nearby Varanasi attractions

1. Pandhey Ghat

0.04 MILES

Lots of laundry is spread to dry at this ghat along the Ganges.

2. Munshi Ghat

0.16 MILES

Munshi Ghat – also known as Darbhanga Ghat – is one of the more photogenic ghats along the old town stretch of the Ganges in Varanasi.

3. Ahalya Bai's Ghat

0.18 MILES

This minor ghat was named after the female Maratha ruler of Indore.

4. Dashashwamedh Ghat

0.21 MILES

Varanasi’s liveliest and most colourful ghat. The name indicates that Brahma sacrificed (medh) 10 (das) horses (aswa) here. In spite of the persistent…

5. Man Mandir Ghat

0.31 MILES

Just north of Dashashwamedh Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat was built in 1600 by Raja Man Singh and later housed an observatory. The northern corner of the ghat has…

6. Kedar Ghat

0.35 MILES

A colourful ghat with many steps and a small pool, where a fire aarti is held every evening at 6.30pm.

7. Harishchandra Ghat

0.39 MILES

Harishchandra Ghat is a cremation ghat – smaller and secondary in importance to Manikarnika, but one of the oldest ghats in Varanasi.