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Ganges River Cruises

Sail on the sacred waters of India’s famous Ganges river. The world's leading cruise companies will take care of every aspect of your vacation as you pass through centuries of history and the rich culture of Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kalna. Travellers also often visit the temples of Matiari and Mayapur.

19 Ganges cruises with reviews

• River Cruise

India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges (2024) (New Delhi to Kolkata, 2024)

• Train & Rail
• Christmas & New Year

Taj to Varanasi

Cruise on the Ganges: The Sacred Waters between Kolkata and Varanasi (port-to-port cruise)

Cruise on the Ganges between Kolkata and Varanasi & the splendors of Rajasthan (port-to-port cruise)

• In-depth Cultural
• Walking Adventure

India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges (2025) (New Delhi to Kolkata, 2025)

ME to WE & the Sacred Ganges (New Delhi to Kolkata, 2019)

Me to We part was excellent. However, the communication re flights before was poor. The internal flights were badly planned. Leaving Udaipur at 3pm and arriving in Kolkata hotel at 3am to leave again at 9.30 am was ridiculous. Boat was excellent, but a lot of people got upset stomachs. No Indian spices in the curries!

Me to We & the Sacred Ganges (2020) (New Delhi to Kolkata, 2020)

Me to We & the Sacred Ganges (2021) (New Delhi to Kolkata, 2021)

Cruise & Rail: The Sacred Ganges & the Maharajas' Express (2023) (Kolkata to Mumbai, 2023)

India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges (2020) (New Delhi to Kolkata, 2020)

India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges (2023) (New Delhi to Kolkata, 2023)

Cruising On River Ganges

• €126 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Threads & Makers | The Textile Cruise

Colorful India & the Ganges River with Southern India & Varanasi

Spirit of the Ganges

Reviews of ganges cruises.

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• Ganges Voyager II from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
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Ganges River Cruises, Tours & Trips

From its source high in the Himalayas, the Ganges ― the great river of the plains of northern India ― slowly courses through one of the world’s most fertile and densely populated regions, calling at picturesque riverside towns and vibrant cities before emptying out into the Bay of Bengal.

Since time immemorial, the Ganges has been the holy river of Hinduism, a focus of religious devotion for tens of millions of people. On your Ganges River cruise, you will be given a colorful and enchanting glimpse of human life and timeless traditions. Visit villages, towns, temples and monuments in this culturally rich and intriguing part of India. Explore Varanasi , the spiritual capital of the subcontinent, and a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, who bathe in the river’s holy waters and perform funeral rites. One of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi is the highlight of any Ganges tour.

Ganga Vilas

Ganges Voyager

Bengal Ganga

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GANGES RIVER CRUISE

Encompassing luxury in every nook and corner, the river cruises by Exotic Heritage Group are designed to make sure you have the most enthralling journey on River Ganges. From comfortable accommodation to high-end amenities, the cruises are equipped with everything you might need while sailing. Come on board and have a memorable journey!

Bengal Ganga

Upstream / downstream itinerary( 9n).

• CHANDERNAGORE

MURSHIDABAD

• Guest Capacity : 56
• No of Suites : 2
• State Rooms : 26
• No of staff : 35

Ganges Voyager I

Ganges voyager i itinerary.

• Murshidabad
• Chandernagore
• No of Suites : 5
• State Rooms : 23

Ganges Voyager II

Ganges voyager ii itinerary.

Ganga Vilas

• Launching Soon : MARCH 2020
• Capacity : 36

Nauka Vilas

• Cabin : 1 Bedroom Luxury Suite

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Testimonials

“Thank you to all the cabin crew and staff for looking after us all so well. We wish you all the very best and every success in life!“ -Philip & Wanda

A very worthwhile cruise and it was made totally enjoyable by the expert and friendly crew staff. Wonderful week.” -John & Kaye

“Everything of highest possible standard!” -John

4. “Never been on other ship where all crew members were so exceptional. Special thanks to Rahul in the dining room. Also greatly appreciated to our housekeeping” -Marcy & Alan

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Along the ganges.

The town is more popularly known as Ambika Kalna, named after a very popular deity, Goddess Kali, Maa Ambika. It has numerous historical monuments such as the Rajbari (the palace) and the 108 Shiva temples.

CHANDANNAGAR

Chandannagar was established as a French colony in 1673, when the French obtained permission from Ibrahim Khan, the Nawab of Bengal, to establish a trading post on the right bank of the Hughli River.

Murshidabad is a city in Murshidabad district of West Bengal state in India. The city of Murshidabad is located on the southern bank of the Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganges River.

Mayapur is a city located on the banks of the Ganga river, at the point of its confluence with the Jalangi, near Nabadwip, West Bengal, India, 130 km north of Kolkata (Calcutta). The headquarters of ISKCON are situated in Mayapur and it is considered a holy place by a number of other traditions within Hinduism.

Kolkata also known historically in English as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly river.

Day 6 : Jaipur

Early morning on the 6th day we drive you to the airport with packed breakfast. You will be boarding the Indigo flight to Kolkata. As you arrive at the Kolkata airport, you will be escorted to the ship, Ganges Voyager where lunch, an entertaining evening and a delectable dinner await you.

Life on Board

Antara Cruises

Ganges Voyager II

Discover new cultures, new experiences and new destinations while you sail on the Ganges, on our award winning river cruise. Experience true luxury  tour while witnessing rich culture with the care and hospitality of the Ganges Voyager II and its crew.

Antara Ganges Voyager II is a spacious, high-ceilinged 28 suites serene sanctuary, with beautiful hand-painted murals and all the comforts of a five-star hotel. All suites have a cosy sitting area and a French balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors. A bed dressed in soft linens, with a choice of pillows. Your roomy bathroom has a rain shower, comfy robes and slippers, and spa-quality bath products. Other high-end amenities include a generous amount of closet space, under-bed storage, a flat-screen television with a wide selection of on-demand movies, individual climate control, bottled water replenished daily, fresh fruit and flowers upon arrival, an iPhone docking station with alarm clock, makeup mirrors and universal electrical plugs.

Exceptional Service

With the highest staff-to-guest ratio and personalised butler service, experience true Indian hospitality. Warm and friendly service which sets the stage for an unforgettable journey.

Eat.Drink.Love

Fresh ingredients and Michelin inspired menus paired with choicest of wines, will take you on a culinary journey when you sail on Antara Cruises.

Indulge in fine dining experiences curated using freshest of the ingredients, offering an array of delicacies prepared imaginatively and plated artistically.

Enjoy fine tipples and ingeniously crafted cocktails and mélanges curated using the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Fresh ingredients, local delicacies and regionally inspired menus are the guiding principles for our chefs, who work tirelessly to offer you the best of local and international cuisines.

Luxurious Accomodation

There is a place where luxury is comfortable, simplicity is elegant, and supreme indulgence creates a sense of well-being. Here, the day breaks with enchanting views, and night falls into a dreamy slumber in your beautifully spacious suite.

Maharaja Suite

The most luxurious and spacious suite aboard, with 400 sq. ft. of space, the Maharaja Suite is a haven of luxury. Embellished with Persian rugs, Burma teak floors and rich tapestry, it also has a flat screen TV, on-demand movie service, and a writing desk. Bathrooms are as luxurious as the room and are fitted with both spacious bathtub and shower panels. Daily butler service and in-room dining are also available on request.

Viceroy Suite

Regal and ornate, the Viceroy Suite is furnished with colonial decor, Persian rugs and hand-stencilled walls. It has more than 360 sq. ft. of living space, a finely crafted day bed and a spacious bathroom fitted with all modern amenities.

Heritage Suite

Offering utmost privacy and comfort with a spacious French balcony to witness the panoramic views, Heritage Suite is a perfect retreat. It is fitted with an exquisite four-poster bed, Persian rugs and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The hand painted walls add to the charm of these suites.

Colonial Suite

The Colonial Rooms are painted in vibrant and inviting colours with picturesque prints that uplift the mood. There is a comfortable seating area in the suite and also a beautiful French balcony. The bathrooms offer spacious showers with premium bath linens and toiletries.

Signature Suite

Our Signature Suite offers two styles of arrangements – 2 twin-size beds and 1 queen size-bed. It has a comfortable seating area and floor-to-ceiling glass doors to enjoy the view outside. Decorated with hand-stencils, local murals and fine wood furniture, the suite is meticulously designed for comfort.

Immersive Experiences

oak in the Antara River experience on the holy rivers of India and witness diverse cultural and heritage traditions. Enjoy experiential exploration on the riverside aligned with enriching pursuits onboard.

Spend your days in the warm rays and relax on our well-appointed sundeck.

In order to acquaint you with the beautiful journey of India’s past, we take you on a tour of historical monuments. These include British colonial buildings, Mother Teresa’s memorial home, Murshidabad’s Palace & Chandernagore’s French colonial buildings to name a few.

Cultural Programs

After spending the day in off-board excursions, enjoy cultural dance performances within the premises of the cruise. These folk dance forms offer a glimpse into India’s rich heritage and culture through their synchronized moves and attire.

Relax and Rejuvenate

Immerse yourself in the rituals of relaxation at the Antara Spa, which finds a natural home on the rivers of India, There is no better place to experience yoga than on the sacred rivers of India where it was born.

Enjoy a relaxing massage at our spa on Sundeck, which has two treatment rooms. Choose from a wide range of Indian and western spa treatments during the luxurious journey.

Fitness Centre

For those who wish to maintain their routine of a morning run, our gym – adjoining the spa – houses a treadmill, an exercise bike and an elliptical machine.

Wake up early and spare a few moments to rejuvenate your senses with a session of Yoga on the Ganges. Complimentary Yoga classes, geared towards beginners, are offered to all guests every morning.

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EXPLORE THE GANGES RIVER

THE LOWER GANGES RIVER

Save 10%, No Single Supplement & Kids go FREE on selected dates

There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges River and an expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly is one of the prettiest river journeys imaginable. The river wends its way through the lush countryside of West Bengal with its culturally significant towns crammed with temples and palaces. A rich and vibrant rural life abounds and there is never a dull moment as we sedately ply this pleasant waterway.

You will start or end our newly updated 7 night itinerary in either the former colonial capital of Kolkata or Farakka, location of the famous Farakka Barrage where the sacred Ganges flows into the Hoogly River. With one-way first class train ticket included between Farakka and Kolkata this is the perfect way to explore West Bengal in true Pandaw comfort and style.

From September 2024, Pandaw is happy to announce that our India expeditions will be all-inclusive, with complimentary local beers, spirits, mixers and soft drinks for all guests. Also included free of charge is select house wines during lunch and dinner only. Subject to availability.

CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK ONLINE

EXPEDITION MAP

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

India's Golden Triangle 6 Nights Pre Tour

Ancient Kingdom of Bhutan & Kolkata Pre Tour 6 Nights

Kolkata Pre Tour 2 Nights

Private Dining

Free Flow Drinks & Wine Package (India)

Inclusive Add On This package is now included free on your cruise for all guests.

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

DAY 2 CHANDENAGORE

Continue sailing upstream to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India.

DAY 3 KALNA

After breakfast sail upstream and land at the country town of Kalna and take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 lesser shrines. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

DAY 4 MAYAPUR

Explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.

DAY 5 MATIARI

Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Continue cruising upstream and time permitting visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.

DAY 6 MURSHIDABAD

This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

DAY 7 AJIMGANJ - FARAKKA

Continue up the Hoogly which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Morning walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj before continuing on to the Farakka barrage.

DAY 8 DISEMBARK FARAKKA

After breakfast, disembark and receive a group transfer to your hotel or the train station in Farakka for your train journey back to Kolkata.

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Whats included.

Cruise Price Includes : Transfer between meeting point Kolkata, Ship and drop off point Kolkata, 1st class express train from Kolata to Farakka (24/25 Downstream), entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes plus our India complimentary drinks package

Cruise Price Excludes : Flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.

Weather Condition Warning

River cruising on the Lower and Upper Ganges can be severely affected by fog during the months of December and January. This may impact the sailing schedules and the planned excursions. While every effort will be made to make up time and include all activities this is not always possible. Similarly temperatures can drop significantly overnight and in the early mornings, though during the day warmer temperatures can be expected. Winter temperatures can be below average with many destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh experiencing long spells of cold.

TRANSFERS & JOINING

Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata at 10:30am to the port by group transfer to embark cruise.

After breakfast, transfer to Farakka station for your train to Kolkata. On arrival transfer to any central Kolkata hotel.

TESTIMONIALS

A week of purer bliss - posted by Louella Archbold and Mary Arnold

I want to thank Pandaw and every Pandaw Staff Member on board for a memorable and fabulous cruise - posted by Donna Knight

Just to let you know the trip was great - posted by Helen Mell

I was very impressed with the boat, and the services and particularly the Crew - posted by Lorna

TRAVEL BLOGS

India's lower ganges river onboard the rv kalaw pandaw, battlefield of plassey - the lower ganges, bengal's proverbial 'little europe' - the lower ganges, the ganges: a celestial river, media mentions, exploring west bengal with pandaw cruises, pandaw expands cruise offerings in india.

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Personal Journeys

Captivated by the Ganges, a River of Souls

By Roy Hoffman

• April 13, 2016

We started through narrow alleys at 5 a.m., moving past somnolent cows curled against doorways and gaunt dogs on steps and women in saris moving toward us through the gloom, a motorbike vrooming in the distance.

“Watch where you walk,” said our guide, nicknamed A.K. — a native of this ancient city of nearly 1.2 million in northeast India, a short, sturdy man distinguished by his white cap with Reebok logo — leading us toward our dawn boat ride on the Ganges . “Organic land mines,” he warned us as we hopscotched over the cow patties and turned into an alley slightly wider than the first.

A.K. knew what patter worked with Westerners, how to put at ease first-timers to India like us, now at one of the holiest places in Hindu lore. “The Ganges flows east and west,” A.K. said, part of his practiced routine, “but here it flows north and south, so it can touch Varanasi.”

In India we had been captivated by polished temples both Hindu and Sikh, grand mosques, and countless stories from Indians we’d met, in Jaipur even invited to a traditional wedding party at our hotel. As tourists we’d also been mindful of risks — intestinal bugs, malarial mosquitoes, pickpockets, hawkers with fake gemstones and silks. But no one warned us about the traffic: Indian motorbikes, Japanese cars, lumbering buses, three-wheeled taxis called tuk-tuks, battered rickshaws, squeaky bicycles, pushcarts, all crowding in, vying for space, turning one lane to two, two to four, coursing around cows and water buffalo, few stoplights to be seen.

My wife, Nancy, and I had strolled New York, Buenos Aires, Barcelona and Paris on trips during our long marriage, but “pedestrian” was no longer in our lexicon here. My right calf was still smarting from a neighborhood stroll we tried to take in Delhi, where the rear wheel of a tuk-tuk caught the back of my leg, nearly sending me to the hospital as the next stop on our itinerary instead of the Taj Mahal.

A horn blared as a motorcycle, headlight looming, pinned us in the alley before twisting away. Calmly, A.K. waved us on.

Meeting up with our driver, we were taken a gridlocked mile to a blockaded street (though motorcycles zigzagged through) and, my camera at the ready now, we stepped out into a stream of people passing kiosks selling firecrackers, chewing tobacco, incense, plastic figurines of Vishnu and Ganesh , and swamis with painted faces offering to pose for 50 rupees, about 75 cents, toward broad steps of the ghat, a word derived from the Sanskrit term for embankment.

Hailing from the Gulf Coast of the United States, I understood how public piers attract tapestries of people. A ghat in Varanasi is far more — a series of wide stone platforms descending to the Ganges, hectic with spiritual seekers and morning bathers and boatmen reaching out to help visitors aboard dinghies. A.K. led us to a lean boatman with sinewy arms who gave us a hand. Nancy and I sat astern, A.K. on a gunwale, as the boatman took his position in the bow and began to pull his oars.

Next to the street clamor, the Ganges was deeply quiet, the swish of oars a ghostly whisper on the meandering river. More boats pushed out, some with tourists, others with Indians, saris gathering color as the sun edged up from the East. From one boat, then another, rose hypnotic Hindu songs.

A.K. told us the story of the goddess Ganga, whose river was brought down from heaven to this earth, so powerful that only Lord Shiva’s hair could hold the currents. Soon its purifying waters coursed through the land, bringing the devout to its banks to wash away sins.

The ghat became as bright and startling as an Indian miniature painting as the sun combed the landing. The backdrop rose, too — centuries-old Hindu temples and weathered four-story residences deep red and yellow with high balconies and steps down to the river. Monkeys traced the rooftops, keeping us in their gaze.

As a traveler I want to lose myself in a faraway place, to slough off the familiar and be transported by what’s strikingly foreign, to forget my name and learn that of others. In the spirit of discovery we typically make up our own journeys, but advice from veteran travelers to India persuaded us to have a travel agency secure guides and drivers and arrange other details. Otherwise, we’d have been confounded.

The boatsman handed us little bowls with marigolds, lighted a candle on each, and motioned for us to put them in the water. A.K. said to make our prayers to the Ganges. I did so, adding Hebrew from my own tradition just in case.

The riverfront became crowded with hundreds of the penitent, men stripping down to underwear, women in full dress, stepping into the water’s edge, looking eastward, hands pressed together. One man lifted a bowl of river water and sluiced it over his head, another plunged under, another dipped in a cup and drank heartily.

I wanted to be enveloped in the moment.

My eye behind a lens, I recorded this ritual of purification. We arrived at another ghat where women slapped their laundry against the rocks. “And you complained about our old washing machine,” I joked to Nancy.

Two women held opposite ends of a wet sheet, pulled it taut, set it on rocks to dry.

“Could I swim in the Ganges?” I asked A.K. “Is it clean?”

He rolled his head, side to side, “What is your opinion?”

I looked down at the murky water.

A.K. took over from the boatman, pulled the oars, then I signaled to him. “Can I?” He moved aside.

I took my place at the bow, grabbed the handles and started to pull. “Take my picture,” I asked Nancy, and she readied the camera, happy to defer to me as the ham in the family.

“Laugh like Buddha,” A.K. suggested, having told us of the Buddha of happiness. Buddha had traveled these parts, too, having preached his first sermon at Sarnath, a half-hour’s drive from here. I leaned back and, joined by the men, laughed loudly, freely, as buoyed up as our little vessel. I laughed in gratitude, in joy. The digital camera was clicking.

I lost my grip on one of the paddles and it slipped through the oarlock, floating away. I reached for it, leaning far out, but the boatman intervened, latching onto the end of it before it could sweep downriver. These men earn their tips.

There was shouting — a naked man in long beard and matted hair ran from three men in street clothes, who yelled and waved at him to hurry away. “Some sadhus are very aggressive,” A.K. explained. Sadhus are the holy men who dwell along the river, outside of society, extreme ascetics. Many are gentle, otherworldly in their fashion. Some, A.K. said, are not.

Finally the sadhu took his place high on the ghat, alone behind a turret, hands pressed together. I zoomed in for a close-up.

As we headed the other way, the boatman at the helm again, the ghat was teeming with men selling religious figures, others wrapping themselves in towels, women bending and talking, food sellers, enormous parasols that look stitched from a dozen fabrics angled against the strengthening sun, wandering cows, brahma bulls, goats, an old woman washing her hair, a man scrubbing his shoulders.

I saw smoke in the distance.

In Agra, before traveling to Varanasi, we had seen the magnificent Islamic expression of remembering the dead — the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum vast and seemingly delicate, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite queen. Its white marble, with its iconic dome and minarets, looked like spun sugar as we approached it, a confectionary that might rise up. The miracle of its workmanship, the gemstones set into the marble, the intricate geometric shapes belied the fact that, in the end, nothing wards off our final breath.

Here in Varanasi, though, there was a different kind of memorial.

As we approached the smoke blackening the sky, A.K., who told us he was Hindu, said, “Take your last photo.”

Was he joking?

“No more pictures,” he said, gravely.

As the boat moved farther on I saw the shoreline more closely — a funeral pyre, a cremation sending up flames and smoke. When he glanced away I was tempted to snap one more, but an eerie feeling held me back. I turned off my camera, put away my notepad, and just looked. We were in someone else’s sacred space.

I wondered who was there. An elderly shopkeeper whose body was carried through the streets here this morning? A youth felled by high fever? A professor from the nearby university who taught medical sciences? A grandmother, a child? Their ashes, soon scattered in the river, would join those of millions of others, ashes of loved ones brought by Hindus from around the country to be tossed onto the mystical waters.

The Ganges was dark, as if it had swallowed the light, its murkiness a quality, I realized, that made it different from other waters under a blast of sunlight. We were borne on a river of souls. They carried us, passing mortals, like water bugs skittering along the surface of time. There was no scrim between me and the burning fires — no camera, notebook, guidebook, only the waver of flames. On this river I had no name.

Our dinghy bumped against the dock and we filed off, followed A.K. up this new ghat, where fresh cords of wood awaited us, past a man squatting next to another shaving his whiskers, a cow before a restaurant nosing into the door, narrow streets with private altars of Shiva behind iron gates.

“OK,” he said, waving us onward. “Take pictures.”

Taking a Magical Ganges River Cruise in Kolkata – 8 Reasons to Sail on the Holy Hooghly River

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: February 16, 2022

Categories INDIA , KOLKATA

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

If there is one thing you must do while you’re in the capital of West Bengal, it is to go on a Ganges river cruise in Kolkata.

Also known as the Hooghly River, this famous waterway snakes through the city and is used by locals every single day.  

Sailing down the Ganges, you can see many of the cities top attractions, including the temple ghats and the iconic Howrah Bridge. Plus, you can watch so much life happening on the water.

This was one of my favourite memories from my visit and ended up being an epic way to end my trip to Kolkata!  

Seeing the sunset over the horizon and watching the sky turn all different colours is something I’ll remember forever.

Here’s a complete guide to taking a Ganges river cruise in Kolkata. Including what companies are recommended, the ticket prices, the best time to go and what to expect!  

Why is it called the Hooghly River and not the Ganges?

The Hooghly River is the official name for it in Kolkata and it’s actually a river that flows off or is a distributary river of the Ganges.

This river in total is 160 miles (260 kilometres) long and flows from Kolkata to the Bay of Bengal.  

The Ganges River is around 1,500 miles (2,525 km) long in total that runs all the way through India to Bangladesh. So, the Hooghly river is actually only around 10% of the size of the Ganges!

Although it is considered holy water as it flows from the River Ganges, it is not officially part of the main body of the Ganges.

Hence, the name Hooghly.   However, despite the official name, many people in Kolkata simply call it ‘Ganga’.

Why is the Ganges river important?  

The Ganges river is considered holy and sacred. Hindus believe that the river is personified as the goddess Ganga.

Hindus also believe that the water of the Ganges is pure and bathing in the river will wash away any sins.

It’s also regarded as a place of Moksha (liberation from the cycle of life and death). So, this water source plays a huge part in daily lives. It’s a place where locals meditate, drink, pray, wash and clean clothes every single day.  

Many Aarti’s, a Hindu worship ritual, is performed by this river each morning and night and there are also burning ghats for Hindu funerals.

A Ganges River Cruise in Kolkata is an amazing way to really learn about Hindu Culture and see life happen on Hooghly River Ghats.  

A ‘ghat’ is a name for steps leading down the river and you’ll see them lined up all along the banks of the Hooghly.  

What is the best company for a Ganges River Cruise Kolkata?  

Although there are many websites advertising a Ganges River Cruise in Kolkata, a lot of them like Pandaw Cruises are for an extended period of time.

Which sounds lovely, but some of us don’t want to be on the Ganges for a week!  

What you’re looking for is an option to sail on a Hooghly river cruise for a few hours.  

Most tour companies online offering day cruises on the Hooghly River, like Lonely Planet and Viator, are advertising for commissions. Selling cruise tickets via their platform for one company.

That one company that is truly recommended by most hotels in the city, and is the only company I would recommend for a Ganges River Cruise in Kolkata is Vivada Cruises.

FYI this post is NOT sponsored by Vivada Cruises. I paid my own pennies. I just had a really good experience and wanted to share.

They have quality ships, well-cooked food and run four professional day cruises every day. Those are breakfast, lunch, evening and dinner cruises.

So, when booking your river cruise, I would book it directly with Vivada Cruises online or call them to reserve tickets and pay when you get there.

We asked our hotel, the Oberoi Grand, to reserve us tickets over the phone and paid when we got there.

If you don’t have your own phone working in India, I would ask your guesthouse/hotel to do the same.

Vivada Cruise ticket prices

The online prices for booking a Hooghly river cruise are quite expensive compared to booking directly with Vivada Cruises. Most of the ones I saw online were £38 or 3,500 rupees!

Yes, those tours include pickup service, but you’ll be paying over double what the tour costs originally.  

Through Vivada Cruises’ website, the breakfast and evening cruises cost 1,000 rupees plus GST Tax (18%).

The lunch and dinner cruises are 1,500 rupees plus GST. So, I would 100% recommend booking with them directly to save yourself some money!  

If you’re worried about the pickup and drop off, getting to the dock and back for your Vivada cruise really couldn’t be simpler. 

Arriving for your Vivada cruise  

The Vivada Cruise dock can be found near Metcalfe Hall on Strand Road on the banks of the Hooghly River.

It’s easy to spot as there is Millennium Park nearby and a huge sign telling you that you’ve arrived on the harbour;

How to reach the Vivada Cruise Dock in Kolkata  

There are many ways that you can reach the Vivada Cruise Dock in Kolkata. By using the public transport system like the metro, buses and trams or to get a taxi

By Metro: The nearest Metro stop for Vivada Cruises is Chandni Chowk. From here it’s a 15-minute walk to the cruise docks via Hare Street. The Metro is really cheap and efficient to get around the city and you pay by the kilometre.  

By Bus or Tram: There is a bus stop right outside the dock called the ‘Shipping Corporation bus stop’. Many bus services in Kolkata run past this stop.

The official government transport website for West Bengal has a bus travel planner. Or, I find it easier to organise a journey via Google Maps. The nearest tram Stop is BBD Bagh which is a short walk away from the dock.

By Taxi: You can hail a yellow ambassador taxi down in the city, just remember to ask for the meter to be switched on or negotiate a price. Sometimes they can be sneaky and overcharge, especially if you’re a tourist. I personally preferred Uber and found it less hassle and a lot cheaper.  

Click here to read my article all about how to use Indian Uber with a special discount code for your first ride

Checking in and collecting Vivada Cruise boarding passes

If you’re booking directly with Vivada Cruises, I would aim to be at the dock meeting point at least 30 minutes before your river cruise to check-in, pay and collect your boarding passes at the office.

In Britain, we have a thing for being strictly on time or early. So, if a ticket tells us we need to be there 30 minutes before, we turn up earlier than that just in case.  

But, as you’ll be in India, it usually means Indian time…So, your cruise check-in and the time you sail off may be delayed. For no other reason, than…this is India!

As it was Durga Puja in Kolkata, a lot of the roads were being blocked off and so it was causing congestion. So, we got here a whole hour earlier than planned.  

If you are twiddling your thumbs and looking for something to do to pass the time. The   Vivada cruise dock is right by Millennium Park.  

We each paid 10 rupees to go in and got ice creams to cool down in the heat!

It’s wasn’t the most pleasing park in the world but very popular with locals and it had a nice promenade by the river!

If you would prefer, the Vivada Cruise office has seats to wait in and are nice and air-conditioned with the heat.  

How long is a Vivada Cruise experience?

All the Vivada Cruises that run during the day are around 3-4 hours.   Although I can’t speak for the other cruises, the evening was well worth the money and is the one I would definitely recommend.

Due to Durga Puja, there was actually only us and one other couple. So, it was like we had a private cruise ship for the evening!  

Although it advertised that we would receive small snacks and drinks, we actually had enough yummy food to keep us full through the entire evening! So, we didn’t need dinner.

Plus, we got to witness the most amazing sunset as part of our journey, watch an evening aarti at Belur Math and then return under the stars while the city lights up at night.

It really gives you the best of both worlds and was the perfect way to end my journey in Kolkata.   Here’s a full review of the Vivada evening cruise experience and all the reasons why you cannot miss it.  

Why you cannot miss a Ganges River Cruise in Kolkata

1. you get to see the city from a completely new perspective  .

The one thing I really loved was seeing Kolkata from the water. The whole of my trip, I was on road transport and walking in amongst the city streets.  

It was hectic, dirty and as it was monsoon most of the city was flooded from heavy rains. So, that meant hopping in and out of black polluted water that couldn’t drain properly.  

I had seen the Hooghly River on my travels and even saw some of the temples on the banks of it. But, actually being on the water makes you see the city in a different light.  

You’ll notice things you didn’t before and the fact you travel from North to South makes sure you get to see the outskirts too.  

It was really relaxing floating along the Ganga, watching and hearing the chaos from afar on our cruise ship.

2. Your boat will pass under the iconic Howrah Bridge  

There are many iconic bridges in Kolkata, but none so famous as the Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu. It sounds weird, but I was so excited to see this bridge for myself.

I had heard about it long before my visit to West Bengal and it’s almost a tourist attraction in its own right.

It was commissioned all the way back in 1871 by the British but wasn’t built until 1935. It stretches over 705 metres, required 23,000 tons of steel and it’s the busiest cantilever bridge in the entire world.

Approximately 100,000 vehicles and 150,000 pedestrians cross it each day! That’s not including the cows that roam here.  

When I visited the flower market at Mullick Ghat, we got dropped off by this bridge and we walked over it at sunrise to have a look at some of the sights. We saw many locals washing and praying in the Ganges.

This time, on my cruise, we were able to go under it from the river. It was really fun to wave at the locals passing by and it provided some fantastic photo opportunities too.  

Another bridge you can see in the distance is the second Hooghly Bridge, Vidyasagar Setu, which kind of reminded me of a grey Golden Gate Bridge.

It’s the longest cable-stayed bridge in all of India.

If you are wondering, there are a total of 4 bridges on the Hooghly River connecting Kolkata to Howrah. The others are Bally Bridge (Vivekananda Setu) and New Bally Bridge (Nivedita Setu).

3. Enjoy watching life on the Kolkata Ghats  

As well as getting to see the city in a different light, I loved watching the life that goes on along the river banks.  

As we took the evening cruise, people were coming out to pray in the cooler temperatures, meditating in the low sunshine and bathing or washing clothes in the river.  

People would wave, or watch us go by. We’d see people waiting for the local ferries and heard many temples playing loud music.  

As we were visiting around Durga Puja, people were immersing idols of the Hindu warrior Goddess Durga in the river Ganga. A tradition that has taken place for centuries.

I actually went to see the idols being made in Kumartuli , the potters quarter in the city , which is another place I would highly recommend you visit.  

Apparently, to make a statue of Durga, a priest has to collect soil from outside the house of a prostitute.

Then it is mixed with clay taken from the Ganga, cow dung and cow urine too.

Durga Puja is celebrated across the world for those of the Hindu faith, but it is a really special occasion in Kolkata. The celebrations go on for 10 days or more and the city is bustling with all sorts of festivities.  

4.   You’ll get chai, and lot’s of yummy snacks on board!  

As soon as we boarded the boat and just before we left, we were showered with drinks and snacks pretty much the whole time we were sailing.  

We were offered fresh mango juice on arrival and spicy-sweet chai as we sailed along the river bank.  

Later there were fizzy drinks. But, I’m afraid there isn’t a bar or any alcohol if you were expecting a booze cruise. It is the Ganges river and many Hindus do not condone drinking.  

As there was only four of us, we had no need to secure our seats. We could just sit anywhere we liked and walked around to different sides of the boat to see a new perspective.  

What food is served on a Vivada evening Cruise?

In the first half, we were offered fried snacks. They were traditional Indian snacks like ‘Fish Fry’ which was amazing as Kolkata is famous for its fish.  

There was also Pakora or Pakoda which essentially just means deep-fried something…   So, you have onion pakoda (like onion bhaaji), paneer (cheese) pakoda, chicken pakoda etc. 

If you’re worried about spicy things, just ask the staff to help you out. But, their version of spicy and yours may be very different, lol!  

I didn’t find anything spicy save the chutneys. They did have mild tomato ketchup though for dipping.

Then on the second half of the trip, we got chicken drumsticks, more fish, more pakoda, we were offered so much food.

I was actually super full by the end of it. Then, when the local desserts came out, I thought I was going to burst! So come with an empty stomach.  

We were planning to eat dinner after if there wasn’t much food on the cruise. But I honestly couldn’t have eaten another bite. I needed rolling home as I was full of Pakoda!

5. The sky will transform in all different colours

A highlight for me was watching the sunset as we sailed towards Belur Math. As we got on the boat around the time the sun was setting, we could watch the whole thing from start to finish.

The weather for Kolkata in October was extremely temperamental. One minute we’d have sunshine, the next grey clouds and tropical rain showers.

All within the space of an hour.   It was meant to be past monsoon season. But, the rains were so heavy a lot of the city was flooded.

That meant grey skies and I hadn’t actually seen a good sunset since I had been in the city. But luckily, on the very last night for our sunset cruise, we actually got to see a sunset!  

So, we picked a great day for it and the sun definitely put on a show. We saw the sky change from orange, to red hues, then the most bright shade of pink.  

It was so beautiful to see and even better when paired with sipping on chai!  

6.   Explore Belur Math for the evening aarti

An unexpected but welcome addition to our trip was a short 45 minute stop at Belur Math in the middle of our cruise. We were led inside and shown around by a Vivada cruise leader.  

Belur Math is a HUGE temple complex that spans 40 acres on the banks of the Hooghly River.  

It’s the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission spiritual organisation.  

It was founded in the 19th century by Sri Ramakrishna, known as the Prophet of the Modern Age and his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda, a forward thinker and religious leader.  

Although there are 4 temples, plus education and medical centres in Belur Math, the Sri Ramakrishna Temple is the jewel in its crown.

Here, we got to see the magical evening aarti. Where the priests of the temples lead the local pilgrims in prayer.  

Women must observe in one section and men must be on the other as is the custom. You’ll quickly be ushered on by security if you end up in the wrong place.  

You can also buy all sorts of books with the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in the library afterwards. We had absolutely no idea that we were stopping here but we both said it was the best part of our trip for sure.  

7. On the way back, you’ll see the city light up at night

Once we boarded the ship after the evening aarti, it was pitch black skies. As it was so clear, we did get to see the stars and started to slowly sail back to the boarding dock.  

But now the city had completely lit up with the most marvellous reflections on the river!  

So, we enjoyed our (rather huge) snacks while watching all the colourful buildings. The Howrah Bridge even lit up and so we got to see it in two ways.

There were also buildings like SBI (State Bank of India) who had lights in all different colours of the rainbow. I only know them as I always use their ATMs because they don’t charge lol. 

The reason why I loved this cruise over the others is that you got to see the best of both worlds. Kolkata by day and night on the water!

8. It’s the perfect way to start or end your trip!

I don’t know why, but I always love to end my trips with a big event like a cruise. I think it just feels nice to do something epic on your last day to say goodbye to a place.  

Kolkata quickly became one of my favourite cities in all of India after my visit, I really didn’t expect to fall so in love with it.

There was just so much to do, the streets had such a vibe and the people were really friendly.  

From the legacy of the British Raj, temple hopping, cultural events, shopping streets and the most amazing food. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my visit here and am already plotting how I’ll return.

But, wrapping up the trip with an epic colourful sunset over the Hooghly (after rain and grey skies for 4 days straight) was the best way to end my incredible journey here.  

Whatever time you decide to go on your cruise, I’m sure will be memorable. So I say, enjoy every minute!  

Top tips for your Ganges River Cruise Kolkata  

Although this trip was amazing, there are a few things I wish I knew before I came on board.

So, here are some of my top tips and things to pack for your Ganges river cruise in Kolkata;

• Jacket – although it is really warm in Kolkata during the day, it can get chilly in the monsoon or winter in the evening time. As you’re in the middle of the river, the breeze can bite. So, I’d make sure you bring a scarf or a light layer if you feel the cold.  
• Shoes – During our tour, we did have to take off our shoes to enter the temple at Belur Math. Luckily, I wore slip ons. From personal experience, temple hopping in trainers gets really annoying to have to untie shoes, then tie shoelaces again etc.  
• Toilets – There is a toilet on board on the bottom deck and it is clean! There was even toilet roll which was a bit of a blessing. But, there wasn’t soap. So, bring some anti-bacterial hand wash. I always have mine as part of my staple day kit in India.  
• Bug spray – Epic fail, I forgot bug spray. Bugs love me too. The mozzies do decide to come out when the sun is setting and at night. So, make sure you bring some to stop getting bitten!  
• Two decks – There are two deck on board the boat. The top deck is open which is lovely for views. But the bottom deck is covered if it’s raining or you’re feeling the cold.  

Other things to do in Kolkata at night

If you’ve returned from your Vivada Cruise and feel the night is still young. There are a lot of awesome places to visit in Kolkata at night time.

From temples that worship till late at night, sound and light shows and some of Kolkata’s famous street food. You’ll never be bored in this thriving city.  

Here are the top things to do in Kolkata at night.  

Kalighat Temple

Although I always like to visit temples during the day, I know that Hindu temples really come alive at night time.

When the sun sets and the temperatures are cooler, many pilgrims come to the temples to pray.  

Kalighat Temple is one of the most famous temples in Kolkata. That’s because it is one of the 4 main Shakti Peetha temples of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

If you’re not aware of what Shakti Peethas are, the legend is that Shiva’s Wife Shakti died. Shiva was so upset he carried her dead body around everywhere with him.

Eventually, Vishnu cut her body up into 51 pieces. Where her 51 pieces fell are now temples and places of worship dedicated to her.

I’ve now visited 2 of the 4 main Shakti Peetha temples, one is Kalighat temple and the other is Khamakya temple in Guwahati. But, overall there are 51 in total, so I still have a LOT left to see.

Kamakhya Temple is where Shakti’s yoni (or vagina) fell and Kalighat Temple is where her right toe fell. So, it draws many crowds and you’ll find the queues are huge and you could be waiting hours to go inside.  

Many Brahmin’s of the temple charge a ‘VIP’ fee of 300 rupees where you can skip the crowds. Even locals do it if they don’t want to queue for hours. 

It will save you a lot of time and you can be blessed and receive your red-yellow thread too (Kautuka). I still wear mine now!  

Victoria Memorial Sound and Light Show

The Victoria Memorial has to be on your list while you’re in the city and is a marvel during the day. But by night it is lit up beautifully against the night sky and they put on a sound and light show in the gardens.

You can then watch the memorial light up in different colours and watch the magic fountains dance outside on the reflection lagoon.

The sound and light show takes place every day, except Mondays and tickets cost 30 rupees per head.

Click here for more details about visiting the Victoria memorial

Try a Hot Kathi Roll on Park Street  

I can assure you that the snacks you receive on the boat will make you full!   But, if you’re still feeling peckish and looking for foodie ideas, you have to try one of Kolkata’s famous Hot Kati Rolls.  

There are many dotted around the city, but the original is a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ (quite literally) counter that can be found on Park Street.

It’s the ultimate street food and can be compared with a kebab back home.  

You’ll get a wrap, filled with hot chicken, onions, spices, some unidentifiable sauce and it will be all wrapped up and fried on the counter!  

It is absolutely delicious, ridiculously cheap at 50 rupees a pop and crowds of locals come here to eat each evening.   There are no seats as it’s just a street food counter, but just nearby you can sit down and enjoy.

Go on an evening Kolkata Street food tour!  

Kolkata is known for its street food, so if you’d rather go on a street food tour, there are a few that take place each evening.  

You’ll try a range of famous Kolkata street foods like;

• Fish Curry (Macher Jhol)
• Kolkata Biryani (yes each place has their own version in India and it’s almost criminal to just call it ‘Biryanai’)
• Mutton Curry (Kosha Mangsho)
• Phuchka – similar to Gol Gopan or Pani Puri
• and… so much more! (There are vegetarian options for those that do not eat meat)

So, make sure you book your Kolkata food tour here to learn all about them

Where to stay in Kolkata  

I stayed in the beautiful Oberoi Grand Kolkata. This was like an oasis to return to after a hot sweaty day out exploring in the monsoon!  

Their hotel is almost an attraction in itself and an icon of the city as it’s the second oldest hotel. You can stay in one of their beautiful deco-like rooms with four-poster beds and it has a gorgeous washroom with a bathtub.

I would highly recommend booking a room indoor facing as the traffic is quite loud, especially during festivals.

Their delectable buffet breakfast at ThreeSixtyThree comes included and they have a refreshing pool with free smoothies!  

Click here to book your stay at the Oberoi Grand for the night

Check out some more of my articles about Kolkata  

• The ULTIMATE Kolkata Travel Guide
• Why you need to visit the flower market in Kolkata
• Don’t miss the abandoned cemetery in Kolkata  
• A look inside the world’s biggest Banyan Tree!  
• Visiting the statue village

Save this Ganges River Cruise Kolkata review for later!

Tuesday 24th of May 2022

I spent 64 years in kolkata but still I learnt so many things! Incredible

Sophie Pearce

Thursday 26th of May 2022

Hi Neelash, thanks so much for reading. Glad you enjoyed it! I miss Kolkata. Sophie x

Wednesday 26th of February 2020

Nice article, thanks for sharing keep share more.

Hi Sam, thanks so much for your feedback! I loved this experience in Kolkata. Sophie x

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The Ganga Trail: 7 Destinations To Witness The Holy River At Its Best

Exploring the Ganges is like discovering the quintessential aspect of Indian life. However, you have more choice than just Varanasi when it comes to getting up close and personal with this mighty river. Experience Ganga in her various avatars as she traverses through the Indian peninsula, from the river’s origin at Gangotri to its mouth in Bengal. Let us take you along the trail of Ganga.

Also read:  Enjoy Dolphin Safaris For The First Time In India At 6 Places Along The Ganga

1. Gangotri

Gangotri is a small town centred around the Gangotri Temple Uttarakhand. Ganga is believed to have originated here and is one of the most critical sites for Hindus. Despite being crowded by tourists, Gangotri offers some spectacular views. Gangotri is also the basecamp for several treks like Gaumukh, Tapovan and Gangotri Glacier among others. You can drive to Gangotri from Dehradun.  BrijRama Palace Is A Heritage Hotel On The Banks Of Ganga .

2. Devprayag

River Bhagirathi and Alaknanda come together to form the holy Ganges in Devprayag. It is not only an important pilgrimage site for the Hindus, but also popular among people looking for solitude amidst nature. The place is known to have a divine aura. Go for a dip in the river and visit the temples before you move ahead to Rishikesh.

3. Rishikesh

To visit the true beauty of river Ganga and its surroundings, visit Rishikesh. Rishikesh is the place where the holy river makes its way down the hills and hits the plains. Rishikesh has a lush green landscape with stunning views. The Ganges boasts of turquoise blue water in Rishikesh. Here, you can also participate in water sports like river rafting and kayaking.

4. Haridwar

Just 30km away from Rishikesh, Haridwar has a significance for religious pilgrims. People come here to take a dip in the holy river to wash away their sins. Thousands flock here daily and although the scene is a bit chaotic, it is has a charm. The Ganga aarti on the ghats of Haridwar will leave you in awe.  Polluting Ganga Can Get You In Legal Troubles & A Huge Penalty .

5. Allahabad

Head to Allahabad to experience Ganga in one of the most exciting ways. Witness a religious and socio-cultural amalgamation in Kumbh Mela. Thousands of devotees, priests, and tourists flock to this place just to take a dip in the holy river. It is considered to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience by many.

6. Varanasi

Varanasi or Kashi continues to be one of the most important pilgrim sites for the Hindus. On the one hand, Varanasi has beautiful ghats with stunning views; on the other, the temples and priests will remind you of India’s age-old religious sentiments. Take a boat ride in Varanasi to explore the true beauty of the river. Also, Experience The Divine Ganga Aarti At Varanasi .

Explore the Ganga at Kolkata, the City of Joy, Be it the Hooghly Bridge, e the famous Princep Ghat or the Howrah Bridge, the city has many beautiful river banks. Remember the song Piyu Bole from Parineeta, that showed a boat making its way Ganga below the picturesque Howrah Bridge? Every traveller must experience this boat ride in Kolkata.

Also, visit Kanpur and Patna to complete your Ganga trail.

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Travel the Ganges: Five Ways to Explore India’s Most Famous River

The Ganges is more than just a river. A colossal waterway that’s born in the glaciers of the Himalayas and threads its way across thousands of miles of countryside before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, it’s a lifeline for millions. The river, the third largest on Earth, is also considered a sacred entity by Hindus: it is a goddess, the Ganga. In cities from Varanasi to Kolkata, it’s also a site of colour and life and drama, where religious rituals, quiet fishing boats, and river cruisers coexist.

To travel the Ganges is to discover a quintessential aspect of Indian life—and visitors have more choice than ever when it comes to getting up close and personal with the mighty river. Here are five beautiful ways to explore the Ganges on your next whirlwind tour of the Subcontinent.

Dawn Boat Tours in Varanasi

Frenetic Varanasi, and its teeming ghats, presents a sensory whirlwind most of the time. But for a more tranquil perspective on one of the world’s oldest cities, visit the Ganges at dawn for a sunrise boat tour. From the water, you can take in the morning mist, the religious pilgrims at the river’s edge, the sounds of the city beginning to rise, and a peaceful view of the ghats before they fill with colour and hubbub.  

Rishikesh Treks

In Rishikesh, the Ganges is closer to its source: glacier-pure, roiling with rapids, and framed by lovely forests and peaks. To best discover this magical North Indian destination, an adventurous excursion is in order. As you go, discover the many shrines, and the sadhus who frequent them, within the river’s vicinity. To cap off your Rishikesh experience, you can even embark on a white-water rafting trip through the river’s quick-moving currents.  

Ganga Aarti

Varanasi is beautiful at sunrise, but at sunset, scenes around the Ganges take on an entirely different aspect. As dusk falls, the Ganga Aarti is performed: a religious ritual which attracts pilgrims as well as casual sightseers, the ceremony sees a fire offering given to the Goddess Ganga. It’s an incredible spectacle to witness—and should you venture further, note that it’s also performed in Haridwar and Rishikesh.

The Brijrama Palace

Sometimes, in order to get the best views of the Ganges, it’s worth taking a step back. In the heart of Varanasi, the Brijrama Palace offers a luxurious place to unwind, as well as a lovely perspective on the river (given that it directly overlooks the Darbanga Ghat, the hotel doubles as an excellent venue for languid sightseeing). In addition to its open-air terrace restaurant, the Brijrama Palace even offers a private riverboat dining experience, should you crave a culinary accompaniment to your Ganges travels.

The Ganges Voyager

For an especially elegant way to travel the Ganges, it’s hard to do better than the Ganges Voyager . This luxurious cruiser embarks on multi-day itineraries that transport travellers from Kolkata across the country. Along the way, there are plenty of fascinating stop-off points and opportunities to discover riverside landmarks and communities.

Images courtesy of  SoumenNath/iStock ;  Slonov/iStock ;  Heisenberg/Flickr ; Brijrama Palace; Ganges Voyager

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TOURS OF VARANASI

No trip to banaras is complete without a sunrise or sunset boat ride of the ganga or an exploration of its historic winding alleys, now booking boats for 2024 dev deepavali whatsapp us today–don’t miss out on your spot, dev deepavali diwali deepawali.

Sunil Sahani is a third-generation boatman who has Mother Ganga running in his veins. He knows the intimate secrets of this sacred river and looks forward to sharing her beauty and bounty with you.

Find Sunil at Meer Ghat , just 2 ghats north of Dashashwamedh Ghat (Main Ghat), in front of Ganpati Guesthouse and Alka Hotel. 

C a ll or WhatsApp Sunil at +91 89249 52294 or use the green WhatsApp bubble in the lower right corner of this page. 

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Morning boat rides on the ganges, sunset boat rides on the ganga.

Be mesmerized by the nightly aarti fire ceremony at Dasaswamedh Ghat (Main Ghat)

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Book a spot on our modern motor boat to see all 84 ghats lit up beautifully on Dev Deepawali. Reserve your space early, we always book out!

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Candle & flower ceremony from the boat, tabla & sitar musicians on your private boat, snacks & chai, hotel pickup, “benares is older than history, older then tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all them put together”.

-Mark Twain

Row Boat Prices

• 1 person = 600 rs per hour
• 2 people = 1000 rs per hour
• 3 people = 1400 rs per hour
• 4 people = 1800 rs per hour
• 5 people = 2200 rs per hour
• 6 people = 2500 rs per hour

*Note: Prices will increase from mid-July to mid-October when the Ganges is higher and the current stronger, as up to 3 boatmen are required for each boat.

Yamaha Engine Boat Prices

3800 rupees for 2 hours, capacity of 7 guests

The fastest & quietest motorboat on the river! This boat is especially good for travel photographers because it has less vibration than any other boat in Varanasi; we can easily maneuver you into the best spots for taking photos.

Extra-large Traditional Motor Boat Prices

3200 rupees for 2 hours, capacity for 12 guests.

Two hours is enough time to travel the entire length of Varanasi, seeing all 84 ghats. You’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time as you witness the daily rituals unfold along the banks of the Ganges.

Double-story Bajra Boat

This 2-story double-decker boat is available for morning or evenings for 4-hour bookings. This four-hour reservation costs 15,000 rs. 

Dev Deepavali

Make your booking for Dev Deepavali 2024 NOW!

Book a spot on our modern motor boat to see all 84 ghats lit up beautifully on Dev Deepavali. Reserve your spot early because we always sell out!

Booking closes one week before Dev Deepavali. Please call Sunil at 878 726 2421 for pricing and details or use the WhatsApp button on this page.

TOUR THE FAMOUS  GHATS AND ALLEYS OF VARANASI

Kashi is more than just the Ganga, and no trip would be complete without a walking tour through her mysterious, winding alleys.

Let us take you to:

• Manikarnika Ghat (the Cremation ghat)
• Kashi Vishwananth Dham
• The new Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
• Dasaswamedh Ghat (aka Main Ghat)
• Monkey Temple (aka Durga Temple)
• Nepali Temple
• Ramnagar Fort
• Benares Hindu University (BHU)

We can also show you some of our favorite shops around Banaras, including fragrant, healing oils and luxurious silks.

Come along on all 84 Ghats along the Ganges River

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0892 495 2294 or click the green WhatsApp button in the lower right corner.

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• Sunrise Ganges River boat rides
• Tour of Cremation Ghats
• Dev Deepavali boat tour
• Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor tours
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Up and down the Ganges, India's Modi enjoys support after 10 years of rule

VARANASI, India — Hindu priests stand on the banks of the Ganges, performing an evening prayer to the river. They wave fire as the sun sets, ring bells and tap on drums. Thousands watch, clap and chant along from boats crammed in the water. They're here because this is Varanasi, a city deeply holy to Hindus, as holy as the Ganges River, which many reverentially call ma — mother.

It's also the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi is not from here — he was raised in a town in Gujarat, in western India — but representing Varanasi, in India's north, is important because Modi and his party have pledged to remake India as a Hindu nation. That poses a sharp turn for a country whose constitution enshrines secularism and equal rights.

Modi has renewed the pledge with India in the midst of its mammoth elections . Nearly a billion people are eligible to cast ballots in voting that started April 19 and takes place in stages for six weeks. Results are expected June 4, but the outcome is unlikely to surprise.

Analysts say Modi will likely be elected to a third consecutive term, a feat only achieved in India over 60 years ago by the country's founding father Jawaharlal Nehru of the Indian Congress Party . NPR traveled along a stretch of the Ganges River to understand the sway that Modi holds after a decade of rule. This area will vote on June 1, in the last stage of the elections.

Residents gush praise for Modi

The prayer ends, and boats whir back to the river bank. Tour guide Mahesh Banguru steps back onto shore and says, "I want Modi to guide our country as long as he lives." That's a possibility — India does not have term limits for prime ministers.

Banguru says Modi has righted India's history after centuries of Muslim and British domination. He approvingly notes how Modi consecrated a temple to the Hindu deity Lord Ram in January, built on land where rioters once destroyed a medieval mosque over three decades ago in the northern city of Ayodhya, triggering communal violence across India that killed some 2,000 people, mostly Muslims . Hindu nationalists were whipped up by a BJP campaign and believed the mosque was built on the site of Lord Ram's birth.

"We Hindus waited hundreds of years for that," he says, "and because we follow God, we've even landed on the moon." That's a reference to India's historic August landing of a rover near the lunar south pole, the first country to ever do so.

A businesswoman says Modi is not corrupt, like other politicians. A student says Modi has made cities cleaner, and safer for women and girls like her.

"Modi is like, divine, he's worshipped, beloved," says Najma Parveen, a rare Muslim woman who campaigns for the prime minister. "People aren't voting for the BJP. They're voting for Modi."

Most Muslims in India — a large minority of about 200 million people — vote against the BJP . Muslim community members, human rights groups and critics of the government say Modi and his party have fueled hatred against Muslims, including by inciting riots to demolish a mosque to build a Hindu temple and passing laws that Muslims fear will render them stateless .

Parveen, however, credits Modi with his government's achievements: rapid economic growth, dizzying rollout of infrastructure like bridges, roads and airports, and India's growing global prominence. But she says he's not to blame for India's problems: low wages , high youth unemployment and, high food inflation . Parveen says the prime minister will fix these problems in his third term.

Nearby, a historian and communist named Dipak Malik says the country's problems don't seem to stick to Modi because the prime minister connects his followers to a greater Hindu cause, like when Modi consecrated that temple to Lord Ram in a broadcast ceremony. "It takes away your breath," Malik says, "and you lose track of what is happening in the real world."

Modi's face is everywhere

Helping along that persona, Modi, 73, portrays himself as a benevolent father. His face is everywhere, from highway billboards to newspaper ads to bags of free food staples . The government has distributed the aid bags to about 800 million people , nearly two-thirds of India's population, since 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit folks hard.

Malik says much of India's television press and social media has become loyal to Modi. And the party's coffers are full, from a now-outlawed policy that allowed companies to donate anonymously, earning the BJP more than $720 million .

With these advantages, the BJP is campaigning to expand its control of the lower house of parliament from 303 seats to a supermajority of 400 out of a total 543 seats. To get there, the party is trying to win over the few districts of northern India not governed by Modi's BJP. One of those is a short drive from Varanasi, the country town of Ghazipur and its surroundings.

Off the main road, a cow ambles over to a trash-strewn field surrounded by homes. There, Kumkum Rai says people regret not voting for the BJP last time in Ghazipur. "It's like we dropped an ax on our own foot!" Rai says. She believes that if the BJP wins this seat, they'll develop Ghazipur. She says she imagines there would be an airport, a university, better roads — like Varanasi, Modi's constituency.

Not all are convinced. NPR followed two BJP campaigners for an evening. They've been tasked with speaking to dozens of people in Ghazipur. Heading down the street, they meet 80-year-old Phulmati, who only has one name.

They produce a large sheet, emblazoned with Modi's face, listing dozens of government initiatives. The campaigners run down the list with Phulmati: Did she get a government-issue toilet? Yes. Does she receive free food staples? Yes. The message is clear: She should be grateful to Modi.

Phulmati isn't impressed. "I gave my vote to Modi last time but it didn't help me," she says. Her free food staples ended after she lost her ID card. She says the garbage is never collected, the drains are never cleaned. "Don't say that," one of the party campaigners chides. "Talk about the benefits you got!"

The pandemic left its toll

A few hours' drive down the Ganges, in the isolated, hardscrabble village of Chausa, an older man is sitting by the river. He has one name, Shivanandum, and few teeth, and wears tattered clothes. He guesses he's 80 years old. He conducts the last rites for Hindus before their bodies are cremated by the riverbank, their ashes submerged in the Ganges.

He says, at one point during the pandemic, corpses washed up here for six weeks as deaths from COVID-19 surged . "I didn't know whose bodies they were," Shivanandum says. He says police set up barricades to stop people from dumping bodies in the river.

Shivanandum says he conducted the last rites for as many bodies as he could. Some were cremated. Most, he says, were buried 10 at a time in mass graves dug up by government workers. He gestures to the grassy mounds by the riverbank: "There they are," he says. "It was a nightmarish time."

Did it affect how he will vote? He says, "I can't forget what I saw," but ultimately, he points to his stomach. "Once I eat, then I'll know," he says — he'll vote for who promises free food.

Down the road is the former mayor, Brij Bihari Singh. His phone keeps ringing — he's got cows for sale in the village fair. Between calls, Singh says, Modi can't be blamed for the government's failings. "The government is me and you," he says.

Singh describes Modi as a visionary, leading India onto the global stage, injecting Hindus with pride and working for the good of India. "Whatever decisions he makes, he makes in the people's interest," he says. "Modi is a gold prime minister. We are lucky to have him."

Copyright 2024 NPR