Soon, take in the sites of Varanasi on board a cruise

VARANASI/ NEW DELHI: You can soon experience a soothing cruise on the Ganges in Varanasi, which is one of the world's oldest living, on a spanking new vessel. The service is set to start in the next one week, sources said.

While the devotees and tourists can take a ride on the 30-metre double-decked modern liner, Alaknanda during sunrise and to see the Ganga aarti during evening, the vessel will be available for special booking during the rest of the day for events, meetings and holding religious functions including 'Rudhrabhishek' in midstream as well.



The slow cruise will allow the passengers to view the magnificent heritage at each of the 84 ghats. The morning and evening cruise will be for two hours each and people will be able to buy tickets for the luxury ride. The cruise will start from Assi Ghat and end at the same point after a two-hour trip covering 12 kilometres.

"We are ready for the launch of this service. As soon as we get the go ahead we can start the service. We expect some dignitaries to be at the flag off event. We have timed both morning and evening cruises in a manner which leaves whole daytime free to the tourists for doing other activities or visiting other places of interest," said Vikas Malviya, one of the directors of the Varanasi-based start-up venture Nordic Cruiseline.