Area: 73.89 sq.km. , Altitude: 80.71 mtrs. Above sea level.

Season: October-March, Clothing: Summer-Cottons, Winter-Woolens.

Language: Hindi, English.

Festivals: Shivratri, Dussehra, Ganga Festival, Bharat Milap, Dhrupad Mela, Hanuman Jayanti, Nakkatyya-Chetganj, Nag Nathaiya, Panch Kroshi Parikrama.

Local Transport: Buses/Cycle-rickshaws/Auto-rickshaws.

STD Code: 0542

BANKS /MONEY CHANGERS .
State Bank of India, Cantt, Varanasi
State Bank of India, Banaras Handu University, Varanasi.
Indian Overseas Bank, Lahurabir Varanasi.
Bank of Baroda, Godowlia, Varanasi.
Allahabad Bank, Nadeser,Varanasi.
Allahabad Bank, Chowk, Varanasi.
Central Bank of India, Chowk, Varanasi.
Canara bank, Bansphatak, Varanasi.
IDBI Bank, Arihant Complex, Sigra, Varanasi
HDFC Bank , Arihant Complex, Sigra, Varanasi
ICICI Bank , Gyanwapi Chowk, Varanasi
Punjab National Bank, Lahurabir ,Varanasi

HOSPITALS
S.P.G. Hospital, Kabirchaura, Varanasi. Phone: (0542)-2333723
S.S.L. Hospital, BHU, Varanasi. Phone: (0542)- 2312542-45
Govt. Hospital, Shivpur. Varanasi Phone: (0542)-2282226
Hindu Seva Sadan, Chowk..Varanasi Phone: (0542)-2412143
Marwari Hospital, Godowlia, Varanasi. Phone: (0542)-2321456
Mata AnandMai Hospital, Bhadaini Phone: (0542)-2310592
Ram Krishna Mission Hospital, Luxa. Phone: (0542)-2391727
Cancer Institute, NE Railway, Lahartara. Phone: (0542)-2425338

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICES
Regional Tourist Office, U.P.Tourism. Parade Kothi, Cantt. Ph:(0542)-2206638, 2208413
U.P. Tourist Office, Sarnath.Open: 10 a.m.- 5 pm. Closed on Sundays and Govt.holidays.
U.P.Government Tourist Information Counter.Varanasi Cantt, Railway Station, Near Enquiry Office , Main Hall. (Opens daily 6 am.-8 pm.) Ph: (0542)-2346370
Railway Tourism. Ph: (0542)-2506670
Govt.Of India Tourist Office.15B, The Mall Cantt.Varanasi. Ph: (0542)-2501784
Govt. Of India Tourist Information Counter,Babatpur Airport, Varanasi.

TRAVEL AGENTS & TOUR/COACH OPERATORS.
The city has numerous travel agents and tour operators. Some of them are :
Cosmic Travels & Movers, Varuna Bridge. Ph: (0542)-2502246, 2504526
Ashok Tour & Travel, Indian Airlines Building Cantt,Varanasi. Ph: (0542)- 2503432
Mercury Travels, Varanasi.
Sita World Travels, 53 cantt.
Surbhi Travels & Tours Cooperative Building Nadeser. Ph: (0542)-2502664
Tour Aids, Hotel India
Travels Assistance, Varuna Bridge ,Varanasi. Ph: (0542)-2502954
Travel Corporation Of India.
Varuna Travels, Pandey Haweli. Ph: (0542)-2393371-72
Inpac Tours, Nadesar

GUIDE SERVICES
Approved tourist guides for local sight seeing may be hired through the Govt. Of India Tourist Office.

RESTAURANTS
Varanasi’s various restaurants searve a variety of cuisines- continental, chinese, indian and of course, the traditional 'Mughlai' .
Mandarin Restaurant, Parade Kothi
Winfa restaurant, Lahurabeer
Shahi restaurant, near rathyatra cross
Yelchico Bar & restaurant, near Sigra crossing
Amrapali, D.58/9 Varanasi.
Aashiyana Restaurant , Varuna bridge,
Haveli Restaurant, The Mall cantt.
Ayyar`s Cafe, Banaras Lodge, Dashaswamedha Road, Varanasi
Annapurna Restaurant, Piplani Katra Lahurabir
Kerala Cafe , Bhelupur, Varanasi
Kesari Restaurant, Godowlia Varanasi