Varanasi gets its 5-star luxury cruise on the River Ganga introducing a unique insight into the ancient city of India. Recently, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath officially flagged off the much talked luxury river cruise, Alaknanda from the Khirkiya Ghat in Varanasi.
Built by a Kolkata-based company and managed by the Nordic Cruise Line, the double-decker cruise measures 2,000 sq. ft. and can accommodate about 125 persons on-board. The 60 seat capacity of the air-conditioned lower deck is equipped with see-through glass windows to watch the famous Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The amazing opportunity to witness the Shubha-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat in are also available for cruise passengers.
The luxury cruise Alaknanda is proposed to sail from Assi Ghat to Panchganga Ghat, approximately 12 km, covering almost 85 of the river ghats of Benares. The cruise also plans to extend the journey to including the ancient town of Chunar. The highlights of the river cruise are its modern construction, powerful engine, state-of-the-art safety features, bio-toilets, 60 sofas on the lower deck, kitchen on the upper deck, a life guard on-board to deal with any emergency and many more.
On the cruise launch, Manoj Poddar, the Director of Alaknanda, announced that cruise tickets are priced at INR 750 per ride per person. Online booking facilities will also be available in few days.
Furthermore, there are also plans to introduce bookings for the luxury cruise for the purpose of birthday party celebrations, corporate parties etc. Even a Rudrabhishek Yajna ceremony, performed by 11 Brahmins can be organized at an amount of INR 75,000.