Summit Hotels & Resorts will open Summit Heritage Kashinaama, an 18-room hotel in Varanasi, on 1 November 2026. It is the latest property in the group's Mandir Collection, a line of hotels built around pilgrimage destinations, temple visits and culturally rooted stays.

The hotel sits in Bhagwanpur and is owned by Abhinav Rai. Its 18 rooms are split across four categories: Superior Twin, Superior King, Luxury and Suite. The design draws on heritage architecture, pairing warm interiors with contemporary amenities, and is pitched at pilgrims, families and cultural travellers.

Banaras on film

The most unusual feature is a cinematic gallery dedicated to Varanasi's place in Indian film. Laid out as a filmstrip-style installation, it displays framed posters of films shot in the city, including Masaan, Raanjhanaa and Gangs of Wasseypur.

Satvik dining and darshan planning

The in-house restaurant will serve only vegetarian and Satvik food. The hotel will also help guests plan temple visits and darshan, including at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Kaal Bhairav Temple. Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Sarnath and Ramnagar Fort are among the other landmarks within reach.

“With Summit Heritage Kashinaama, we are bringing our Mandir Collection to a city where this approach to hospitality is particularly relevant. We wanted to create a property that reflects the identity of Banaras, from its architectural influences and vegetarian food traditions to its contribution to Indian cinema.” — Sumit Periwal, Director, Summit Hotels & Resorts

Rai said there is growing demand in Varanasi for accommodation that combines modern comfort with the city's cultural and spiritual character, and that the tie-up with Summit would bring professional hospitality standards while preserving the identity the property has created.

Beyond the Himalayas

Summit is best known for its hotels across the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India. It is now expanding into new destinations through three collections: Mandir for spiritual hospitality, Offbeat for lesser-explored destinations and Signature for premium, destination-led stays.

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Images: courtesy of Summit Hotels & Resorts (facade rendering, labelled AI-generated by the sender)