LF Review: ★★★★.5
While I have been to Varanasi several times, I have never really had an opportunity to stay near the famed ghats. This time around when I went, this dream came true with JüSTa Kashi Parampara, located 700 metres from Assi Ghat.
After an hour’s drive from the airport, my cab pulls into a narrow lane, and soon I see a white-hued building that instantly feels like home. As the gates open, I enter the retreat that was once a home, 80 years old, that has been carefully renovated and restored to this stunning 14-room boutique property.
Befitting the spirituality of the location, I am given a traditional welcome with an aarti, blowing of a conch, and a rudraksh mala that has been pre-blessed. Located over three levels, the décor symbolises purity with notes of white, interspersed with wood and green from the plants. Two stunning wood pillars at the entrance, sourced from the South of India, add a vintage touch. Several paintings on the walls have an interesting story, being repurposed wooden windows from the earlier home.
Room story
All the rooms are done up with heritage-inspired décor; think wood furniture with distressed white finish paint, jaali work, lampshades that are held up by elephant figurines, and fine hand paintings showing Kashi.
Fitted with plush bedding, tea and coffee makers, complimentary Wi-Fi, and well-appointed bathrooms, the premium room where I stayed also had a small balcony. A sitting, a large wardrobe and a study desk complete the room. A large wood trunk in the room used to store cushions and runners adds a traditional touch to the space.
Gastronomy calling
Meals at the property are served at SSATVIK, the signature restaurant, which is cosy with just 20 covers. This is where you can sample both the local flavours of Varanasi as well as other Indian and international fare. The restaurant serves eclectic vegetarian food, all of which uses the freshest ingredients that will leave your taste buds asking for more.
Breakfast has some great options, from moong dal chilla with paneer and vegetables, kachori subzi, and puri bhaji to even the quintessential favourite, jalebi. For lunch and dinner, there are several choices from starters (their Kurkure bhindi is a big winner) to mains and desserts. The taste and flavour profile of these meals are authentic and can please any palate. And if you prefer, there is also in-room dining that will ensure you enjoy these lip-smacking delicacies from the comfort of your room.
Explore more
The property is the perfect base to explore the vibrant streets of the city too. You can walk to the ghat from here – the Assi and Tulsi ghats are close – and then walk along the river to experience how life unfolds on the ghats. Do head to the beautiful morning aarti on the Assi Ghat called Subah-e-Banaras. After this take a boat ride along the ghats, visit Tulsidas’ home and the local Akhada Goswami Tulsidas (a traditional Indian gymnasium), as well as the Rani Lakshmibai Janamsthali (birthplace) memorial.
A must-do is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Their Shayan Aarti at night is a deeply spiritual experience. Do pay obeisance at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir and Kal Bhairav Mandir as well. A visit to the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for its fantastic collection of artefacts is recommended. Photography is, however, not allowed. And to cap your experience, a must-do is the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. You can also choose to see this from a boat – it is surreal to see the ghats lit up in the evening.
The experience
The best part about staying at the property is the soothing vibes that emanate from the space. From its layout to the staff who are attentive to details, to the mornings and evenings that see local musicians play the tabla or the flute on the property. Every weekend there is a kathak performance, a local dance form, by two artists who explain the various segments of their act to guests. I found this a great way to encourage music and dance, art forms that need to be preserved.
Ashish Vohra, Founder & CEO, Onora Hospitality Pvt Ltd., avers, “jüSTa Kashi Parampara is more than just a place to stay; it is an immersion into the living heritage of Banaras. The property offers guests the rare privilege of being close to the spiritual heart of the city, yet tucked away in a serene haven that contrasts beautifully with the vibrancy and chaos of Kashi. It is here, where spirituality meets serenity, that after a day of exploring the ghats, narrow alleys, and bustling markets, “I” find myself.”
Peace and quiet blend seamlessly with curated cultural experiences, from the daily morning havan and soulful classical music recitals to weekend Kathak performances and menus infused with traditional Banarasi flavours. “Every element, including the warm hospitality of our team, has been designed to give travellers not just comfort, but a deeper connection to the city’s timeless spirit. JüSTa Kashi Parampara is where the true essence of Banaras comes alive, both inside and outside its walls,” adds Vohra.
A stay at jüSTa Kashi Parampara is all about integrating the past and the present in a synthesis that is not just seamless but also experiential. Even the farewell ritual here is unusual. I was made to sit, and a priest did an arati and tied a sacred thread on my wrist, and I was given a sealed copper vessel of Ganga jal. It really was very thoughtful, and as I said goodbye, I was happy to take a little bit of the city with me.
LF Review: ★★★★.5
Coordinates: B1, 8, Assi Ghat Rd, Near Assi Ghat, Dumraon Colony, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
