Road Trip to Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj: A Journey from Hyderabad
Planning the Trip:
We had been planning to visit Varanasi for over a year but couldn’t make it happen due to different reasons. Finally, on October 3rd, we decided to start our journey. We had ten days for the trip. The plan was to stay three days in Varanasi, then visit Ayodhya and Prayagraj. Initially, we thought of visiting Khajuraho as well, but that didn’t work out.
Day 1: October 3rd – Starting the Journey
We packed everything the day before and started our journey at 6:30 AM from Hyderabad. We had breakfast at home, so we drove continuously until we reached Sunna, near the Maharashtra border.
There, we stopped to prepare lunch. I prefer cooking over eating at hotels. We found a nice spot at the Ganesh Vighnahara Temple, which had proper seating and water facilities for cooking and cleaning. We spent around two hours cooking and eating before continuing toward Varanasi.
By 11:30 PM, we reached Katna, where we stopped at colleague home. We decided to rest there and took a power nap for 3-4 hours.
Day 2: October 4th – Reaching Varanasi
We woke up around 4 AM, freshened up, and had breakfast after crossing the town. By 10:30 AM, we reached Varanasi. The city wasn’t too crowded at that time.
I chose to stay near the ghats, but finding hotels with parking was a challenge. We stayed at Shivoy Grand. The rooms were average with AC, but it was close to the ghats and had proper parking. They even allowed us to cook in the cellar, which was convenient.
After checking in, we prepared lunch and took some rest. Later, we went for a walk along the ghats. The Ganga was flowing at full capacity, and the water level had reached the top steps. A lot of infrastructure was disturbed due to the floodwaters.
In the evening, we started our temple visits with the Kalabhairava Temple. We took an auto to get there, as cars aren’t allowed in the narrow streets of Varanasi. It’s always better to use an auto, which costs around ₹100 depending on the distance. We didn’t take our car out during the entire three-day stay.
Day 3: October 5th – Exploring Varanasi
Planning is very important for exploring Varanasi; otherwise, you’ll end up walking a lot without covering much.
We started our day by visiting Dashashwamedh Ghat early in the morning.
Next, we headed to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Our plan was to take a holy dip in the Ganga at Manikarnika Ghat exactly at 12 PM and then have Annadhan at the Mata Annapurna Devi Temple. Since there wasn’t much rush, everything went smoothly as planned. After lunch, we visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple again to explore it more, as it is close to the Annapurna Temple with just a short walk between them.
A tip for bathing at Manikarnika Ghat: Be cautious and don’t fall into the traps of locals offering help, as you might end up losing money. You can manage everything on your own. The Ganga water was flowing well and wasn’t polluted.
After returning to the hotel for some rest, we started a boat trip on the Ganga at 5 PM. For safety, we opted for a shared boat. The boat ride was amazing, as it took us along all the ghats before dropping us at Dashashwamedh Ghat for the Ganga Aarti.
The Aarti started at 7 PM, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Everyone should witness it at least once. Listening to the Kalabhairava Stotram during the Aarti was a pure and spiritual moment for the soul.
Tip for the Aarti: It’s better to sit on a boat to watch the Aarti than sitting on the steps. A boat seat costs ₹300 per person and is free for kids.
After the Aarti, we walked to the famous Kashi Chat Bhandar. The food was delicious and totally worth the visit.
Day 4: Oct 6th - Exploring Local Temples
We dedicated the day to visiting local temples in the following order:
1. Varahi Mata Temple
We started very early to avoid the heavy crowd, as the temple closes by noon. We were in the queue by 6 AM, and even then, there were already 200+ people ahead of us. It took around 4 hours for darshan.
2. Vishalakshi Temple
There was no rush here, and we had a peaceful darshan. We spent some time sitting inside the temple and soaking in the calm atmosphere.
3. Sakshi Vinayaka Temple
By 1 PM, we visited the Sakshi Vinayaka Temple. This temple is located between shops, so it can be tricky to find. If needed, you can ask for directions from the security staff nearby.
4. Annapurna Devi Temple
For lunch, we went to the Annapurna Devi Temple and also made a small donation as a gesture of gratitude.
5. Vishwanath Temple and Bharat Mata Temple
My wife wanted to visit the Vishwanath Temple again. This time, we didn’t go for darshan but explored the newly built ghat nearby. We also visited the Bharat Mata Temple, which was a new experience for us.
6. Cycle Swamy Ashram
By 4 PM, we returned to the hotel for a short break. In the evening, we visited the Cycle Swamy Ashram, run by Telugu-speaking people. They provide free food three times a day to visitors. We donated some money to support their services.
places we covered in Varanasi over three days:
- Kalabhairava Temple
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Varahi Mata Temple
- Vishalakshi Temple
- Sakshi Vinayaka Temple
- Mata Annapurna Devi Temple
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Ghat Tour on a Boat
- Ganga Aarti
Day 5: Oct 7th - Varanasi to Ayodhya, Then to Prayagraj
We woke up early and started our journey to Ayodhya. By 12 PM, we reached Ayodhya and parked our car at Ayodhya Dham. The place was very clean, with ample parking space. We also had lunch there before beginning our temple visits.
We hired an auto and went to Hanuman Garhi Mandir. Although there was a lot of crowd, the darshan process was well-organized, and it took about 40 minutes.
From there, we headed to the Ram Temple locker center, where we deposited all our electronics, including the car key. After resting for a while, we started walking toward the main Ram Mandir. The walk took about 40 minutes, but the darshan itself was very quick, taking only 10 minutes. The temple management was very efficient. Since mobiles weren’t allowed, we couldn’t take any photos.
By 4 PM, we finished the darshan and returned to Ayodhya Dham to freshen up.
Although we weren’t completely rested, we decided to start our journey toward Prayagraj that same evening. We reached Max Hotel, Prayagraj by 10 PM. After checking in, we had a much-needed sleep to recharge for the next day.
- Hanuman Garhi Mandir
- Ram Mandir
Day 6: Oct 8th - Prayagraj – Exploring Spiritual Sites
We began our day by visiting Alopi Devi Mandir, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. This temple is unique because it doesn’t have an idol; instead, a wooden platform is worshipped as the goddess. It holds great significance for devotees, and the atmosphere was very peaceful.
Next, we went to the Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir, a famous temple known for its large reclining idol of Lord Hanuman. The temple is located near the Triveni Sangam and attracts a lot of devotees.
After visiting the temple, we hired a boat to take us to the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
By 12 PM, we completed all our visits and returned to the hotel. After a quick lunch, we checked out by 2 PM and started our journey back to Hyderabad.
Places Covered in Prayagraj:
- Alopi Devi Mandir
- Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir
- Triveni Sangam (boat)
I covered around 580 km before taking a power nap. I stopped after entering the Telangana border and rested for 3 hours.
Day 7: Oct 9th - Back to Hyderabad
We started the remaining journey early in the morning and reached home by 8 AM. I understand that these long driving stretches are not easy, but my prior experience helped. I have driven on this route at least 10+ times between Hyderabad and Delhi, so I had a clear idea of where to stop and rest.
For those planning a similar trip, here are some recommendations:
- Take a night break at Rewa while heading toward Varanasi.
- Plan a day and night break in Ayodhya to comfortably explore the temples.
- On the return journey, ensure you take a night break based on your convenience and energy levels.
This road trip from Hyderabad to Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj was more than just a journey; it was a blend of spirituality, adventure, and family time. Driving through different states, visiting sacred places, and experiencing the vibrant culture of these cities made it truly unforgettable.
While long drives can be challenging, the joy of discovering new places and creating memories with family makes it all worthwhile. With proper planning, breaks, and a positive mindset, even a long journey becomes smooth and enjoyable.
For anyone planning a similar trip, my advice is simple: take it slow, enjoy the process, and let the journey be as special as the destination. After all, these are the stories we’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Whole point is, some things aren’t meant to be known. They just are.
NN
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