VARANASI Population : 2,000,000 By Air Varanasi is connected to Delhi, Agra and Khajuraho by Indian Airlines flights. Sahara Airlines connects it to Delhi, Lucknow and Patna Indian Airlines links Varanasi's Babatpur airport to Delhi with daily flights by IC 806 (flight duration: 2 hour 15 minutes with a stop at Lucknow) and CD 7407 on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (flight duration: 2 hours and 55 minutes with two stops at Agra and Khajuraho). Jet Airways has daily flights from Delhi by 9W 723 (flight duration: 1 hour 10 minutes). Sahara Airlines also has daily flights from Delhi by S2 521 (flight duration: 2 hours 45 minutes). From Lucknow, Sahara Airlines has flights to Varanasi on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (Flight duration: 45 minutes). Sahara Airlines also has daily flights from Patna by S2 521 (flight duration: 35 minutes) . By Train Varanasi is connected by several trains. The best trains from Delhi are the daily Sharamjeevi Express from New Delhi (dep: 1.20 am) to Varanasi (arr: 2.35 am); New Delhi - Howrah Rajdhani Express (except Mon and Fri, which also connects Calcutta on its return journey) and New Delhi - Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express (every Mon and Fri) departing Delhi at 5.15 pm and arriving Mughal Sarai at 2.22 am. From Mumbai, the direct train is the Mumbai - Varanasi Mahanagri Express departing daily from Mumbai Central at 11.55 pm and reaching Varanasi at 4 am (a 2-day journey). From Chennai the direct train is the Chennai - Varanasi Ganga Kaveri Express departing daily from Chennai at 5.30 pm and reaching Varanasi at 8 am (second night). By Road Varanasi is well connected by daily hourly buses to Allahabad (122 km away), Lucknow (286 km) and Sarnath (10 km away). October to March. Reasons why: It is cool this time of the year in Varanasi. From the Airport Babatpur Airport is 22 km northwest of the city. Taxis (Rs 360) and Indian Airlines buses (Rs 65) are available for the transfer. From the Railway Station Taxis charge around Rs 150 to top-end hotels (Rs 250 from Mughal Sarai railway station) and auto-rickshaws charge Rs 15-45 depending on the distance (Rs 60-95 from Mughal Sarai railway station). Cycle rickshaws are also available for shorter distances. From the Bus Station Auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available. Auto-rickshaws are easily available. In the Old City, cycle rickshaws are the best way to reach the ghats. A hired car or taxi to cover the town (for the entire day) charges around Rs 750). As old a city as Babylon, Varanasi is one of the holiest pilgrimage centres of India. Here, mornings begin with prayers at the ghats, a holy dip and the tinkling of temple bells. It bustles with people whose lives are concentrated on being good Hindus. Social events mean religious festivals. This is a city soaked in devotion. Earlier known as Kashi and then Benaras, present-day Varanasi is an important cultural centre as well. Its rich silk brocades, (the most notable being the Banarasi Sarees), ancient Yoga tradition and north Indian classical music - all combine to make Varanasi an experience of tremendous variety. The old city is criss-crossed by narrow lanes and is situated along the western banks of River Ganga. All the popular ghats - the main reason why people go to this holy city -- are along the river Bank. The major ghats lie in between the Rajghat and Assi Ghat. Most of the good hotels are in and around the Cantonment . Varanasi has a typical north Indian climate. Summers are hot with temperatures ranging between 41°C (Max) and 22°C (Min) and heavy rainfall (1800 mm) generally in the months from July-September. Post monsoon months are humid and sticky. The hot summer wind ('Loo') sweeps the city during May and June. Winter temperatures stay between 25°C (Max) and 9°C (Min). the days are dry and pleasant with cold and chilly nights-