5. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Cultural center of India, Varanasi or Benares (Banaras) is in the Northern India and is widely acknowledged as a life-changing destination in India due to its high spiritual and religious quotient. A chaotic old town located along the banks of River Ganges, Varanasi is believed to be founded by Lord Shiva (as per Hindu mythology ). The city is now several thousand years old and one of the most revered pilgrimages for Hindus.
It is not just the vibe of Varanasi that compels you to stop and contemplate about your life but also brings you face to face with some of the most amazing, at times disturbing, sights of human faith. The Manikarnika Ghat at Varanasi is the place which often leads to life-changing experiences as it is a cremation ghat where the last rite of a Hindu can be observed. Full of sages, thinkers, writers and artists, Varanasi is famous for changing the course of life forever, especially of western travelers.
