Kāśī–Prayāg–Gayā (Tristhalī Yātrā)

5–6 days · October–March · from Varanasi

Prayāg, Kāśī and Gayā together form the Tristhalī, the “three holy places”, long visited as one journey — bathing at the Saṅgam, worshipping Viśvanātha, and offering piṇḍa-dāna for the ancestors at Gayā. Classical manuals begin at Prayāg; starting from Varanasi, as here, works just as well and is easier for most travellers.

Day 1 — Arrive in Varanasi. Evening Gaṅgā āratī at Daśāśvamedha Ghāṭ.

Day 2 — Dawn boat ride along the ghāṭs, then darśana at Kāśī Viśvanātha, Annapūrṇā and Kāla Bhairava. Afternoon at Sarnath (about 10 km) if you wish.

Day 3 — Day trip to Prayagraj (about 120 km, about 3 hours). Boat to the Triveṇī Saṅgam for snāna, the Lete Hanumān (Baḍe Hanumān) temple near the fort, and back to Varanasi by evening. Some families also perform veṇī-dāna or muṇḍana here as their tradition prescribes.

Day 4 — Varanasi to Gaya, about 5–6 hours by road or a few hours by train. Evening at the Viṣṇupada temple on the Phalgu river.

Day 5 — Piṇḍa-dāna and śrāddha at Gayā: at the Viṣṇupada temple, on the banks of the Phalgu and at the Akṣayavaṭa, guided by a Gayāvāl priest. A one-day rite is common; tradition also describes longer forms of three, seven or more days. Bodh Gayā (about 15 km) can be visited in the afternoon.

Day 6 — Depart from Gaya, or from Patna (about 110 km), which has more flights.

All three cities have dharmaśālās, ashram guest houses, government tourist lodges and hotels of every kind; in Varanasi stay near the ghāṭs or the Godowlia area to walk to the temple. Book Kāśī Viśvanātha sugam darśana and āratī tickets only on the temple trust's official website. At Gayā agree the dakṣiṇā for the rites clearly before you begin, and avoid touts at the station. Pitṛpakṣa (September–October) brings huge crowds to Gayā for the annual melā — book early if you go then. Check the Melā site for Prayagraj bathing dates in Kumbh and Māgh Melā years.

5–6 days · October–March; Pitṛpakṣa for Gayā · From Varanasi · Easy · crowded lanes · Piṇḍa-dāna at Gayā

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