Varanasi is also famous for its antique temples. The renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a "lingam" (the phallic icon of Shiva) that goes back to the time of the epics. Skanda Purana by Kasikanda mentions this temple of Varanasi as Shiva's abode. It has withstood the onslaught of various invasions by Muslim rulers. The present temple was rebuilt by Rani Ahalya Bai Holkar, the ruler of Indore , in 1776. Then in 1835, the Sikh ruler of Lahore , Maharaja Ranjit Singh had its 15.5 m high spire plated in gold. Since then it's also known as the Golden Temple .

The 8th century Durga Temple , situated on the Ramnagar Pandav road, is home to hundreds of monkeys that reside in the nearby trees. Another popular temple is the Sankatmochan temple dedicated to the monkey-god Hanuman. Varanasi 's Bharat Mata Temple is probably the only temple in India that is dedicated to the "Mother India". Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936, it has a big relief map of India carved in marble. Another relatively new temple is the Tulsi Manas Temple built in honor of Lord Rama in 1964 at the place where Goswami Tulsidas composed the Ramacharitmanas, the vernacular version of the epic of Ramayana. The walls of this temple adorn the scenes and verses depicting the exploits of Lord Rama.

Other significant places of worship include the Sakshi Vinayaka Temple of Lord Ganesha, the Kaal Bhairav Temple , the Nepali Temple , built by the King of Nepal on Lalita Ghat in Nepali style, the Bindu Madhav Temple near the Panchaganga Ghat and the Tailang Swami Math.

The "Ghats" are undoubtedly the most valuable assets of Varanasi . None can imagine Benaras sans its numerous " Ghats " that dot the nearly 7 km arc line of the Ganges riverfront between the confluence of the River Asi in the south and the Varuna in the north.

Viewing the Ghats from a boat on the Ganges , especially at sunrise, is an unforgettable experience! They offer a panoramic view of the various early morning activities - from ablution to workout - of a multitude of people, for whom the river is the be all and end all of life. It's also a pleasure to walk down the entire stretch of the Ghats along the Ganges . Here people consult the astrologers under their palm leaf parasols, buy offerings for rituals, sell silk apparels and brassware, or just gaze at the faraway horizon where the mighty river meets the heavens.

The Tulsi Ghat is famous for its association with the poet Tulsidas (C.E 1547-1623). The Asi Ghat, situated in the south at the union of the rivers Ganga and Asi is significant for the Surya Shashthhi festival. The Ganga Mahal Ghat is an extension of the Asi Ghat, and includes a palace built by the Maharaja of Benaras in 1830. The King of Rivan's palace stands at the Rivan Ghat, another extension of the Asi Ghat.