Shree Ganesha Palace

At first glance, Shree Ganesha Palace may look more like a luxurious home of some noble or political figure. That's not too far from the truth, as the hotel was originally built in 1916 as the residence of a holy saint from Bengal. The property changed hands sometime after and was acquired by a British officer. Sundar Das Lakhmani would later purchase the mansion from the officer and open it in 1938 as a bed & breakfast. Over the following decades, Shree Ganesha Palace provided lodgings to pilgrims and travelers from all over the world.

In 2019, Sundar's descendants gave the hotel a makeover, expanding it with modern facilities, a new restaurant, and a venue hall. The Lakhamani remains committed to not only improving their family business, but also imparting the beauty of Varanasi to their guests.

Since it was built in 1916, Shree Ganesha Palace has a more modern look compared to older traditional heritage houses and hotels in Varanasi. Its pristine exterior bears a sleek architectural style that incorporates elements of Western and native Indian design. The jaali lattice parapet fence on the porch and terrace, as well as arches accentuating windows and doorways, are familiar aspects of Indian architecture. These arches, along with pillars and pilasters, are decorated with intricate hand-painted filigrees and motifs.

The interior spaces of the hotel are just as lovely, featuring Victorian-style furniture set along walls decorated with murals and paintings. Instead of fully committing to a single aesthetic, Shree Ganesha Palace balances the old and new, creating a wholesome, modern vibe that embodies India's approach to honoring its heritage.

1916 Cafe

Named for the year the hotel was first constructed, 1916 offers a diverse selection of delectable dishes of Indian, Chinese, and continental cuisine, representing Varanasi's role as a cultural melting pot. Savor bowls of chole and chokha with traditional breads such as litti and kulche, or try their take on Chinese chowmein made with local ingredients and Indian spices. They also offer special thali platters, a dining tradition once available only to the upper class.

With so many heritage landmarks close to Shree Ganesha Palace, the proprietors love recommending to their guests which place to visit and what activity to try.

The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the great temples of Varanasi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple features intricate architecture and a golden spire that symbolizes his jyotirlinga aspect, which is a pillar of radiant flaming light.

The Ganges is Hinduism's most sacred river, and every evening, priests and adherents flock to the ghats at its banks to celebrate with Ganga Aarti rituals. Dressed in robes and wielding oil lamps and incense, the priests perform in synchronized motions as they pay homage to the river goddess Ganga.

As for personal and private celebrations, you can approach the hotel's management and see if they can arrange a private table at the restaurant, 1916 Cafe. They may even be able to recommend special dishes for your birthday or anniversary.