Mark Twain once said, Varanasi is "older than history, older than tradition, older than legend, looks twice as old as all of them put together." This is the city where vast riches of Indian music, art and dance cultures took birth. And now, you can get an insight into this by witnessing a traditional cultural show at an authentic Brahmin refectory that dates backs to the Peshwa period of the 19th century.

At the Amrit Rao Peshwa Centre, you can watch rich old dances and music such as the ancient Ahir dance performed by the cowherds, and kept alive by them through generations.

A tour around the Amrit Rao Peshwa Centre gives the visitor an insight into the Indian way of life. Benaras - oldest living city in the world comes alive as you witness some of the important rituals and pious activities on the banks of river Ganges.

Morning is an important time to learn, take stock of life; to devote to uncluttered prayer. This the Peshwa and the ancient Hindus understood. And this is the pattern for morning activities at the Amrit Rao Peshwa Centre for Arts, Religion & Culture. Visitors can witness the chanting of vedas as well as aarti, bhajans, kirtans, (all music-based forms of prayer). For the uninitiated, there will be discourses on yoga and meditation. Talks will further elaborate the timeless role and significance of river Ganges in the life of every Indian.

To miss it would leave your understanding of the holy Ganges - and an entire world of culture and heritage woven around it - incomplete.

Take one of the following tours to savour the above experiences :

1. Living City Tour :

Pickup from select hotels between 5.30 pm and 6.00 pm. The tour involves a short walk through the oldest and most famous narrow lanes of the older part of the city, feeling the religious fervour around and passing by numerous small temples and interesting bazaars. The tour takes tourists to the Amrit Rao Peshwa Haveli, built in 1807 at the amrit Rao Peshwa Ghat for feeding Brahmins and for other pious activities. At the Haveli, the trourists get an opportunity to participate and observe from close quarters some important rituals and pious activities of the Hindus. The tour ends with a traditional cultural programme on the terrace of the Haveli from where they get a panoramic view of the centuries old ghats of Varanasi..

2. Enlightenment at Dawn :

The tourists get an opportunity to travel through time to witness history being relived when they enter the Peshwa Haveli, with many Brahmins chanting hymns and offering prayers to bless the patrons. This tour is highly recommended for shooting breathtaking pictures from the terrace of the haveli. The tour includes breakfast with eggs, but without meats. The tour needs to be booked 10-15 days in advance.

3. Eternal Ganga Tour :

This is an extension of the Living City tour and includes a buffet sit-down Indian vegetarian meal.

4. Peshwa Haveli Experience :

This is a special tour where the entire Raja Ghat & Amrit Rao Peshwa Haveli are adorned with tiny lamps or diyas. The atmosphere is festive, buzzing with several activities and the experience is unforgettable. The tour is inclusive of authentic Indian sit-down vegetarian meal.

5. Relive Benares :

This is an extension of the Peshwa Haveli Experience where the entire complex is aesthetically decorated with innumerable lights, plenty of flowers, thousands of tiny lamps or diyas. There is Aarti, Tika, garlanding of guests, playing of Shenai & Sitar. Thousands of diyas are seen floating on the river front making the evening a delightful experience. Local Brahmins chant hymns offer prayers, and bless the patrons and many more. The tour is inclusive of Indian sit-down vegetarian meals served in authentic Indian style by waiters attired in traditional Indian dresses.                             

To say the least, the experience is simply overwhelming, beyond imagination. The tour is one of it's kind in the whole of india and must be experienced.

Tour No. 2,3,4 & 5 have to be booked 2-3 weeks in advance. Details and prices available on request. Tour No. 3,4 & 5 serve vegetarian meals without alcohol.

So, during your stay at Varanasi to miss on the above would leave your understanding of something central to all Indians -- the Ganga, incomplete.