pandas and the squalor can turn off even the most ardent believersbe careful of the ganapadigals. in my opinion all of them take you for a ride. it is plain business for them. arrange for all money to be paid in one shot. no bit and pieces for sambavanais. you will not know when this call comes. just plain refuse. this is my experience.
i guess they will be going to gaya too..
ignore the corruption. ignore the poverty. keep strong faith and perform what you came to do. there are a few gem of priests who work under the rich ganapadigals. be generous to them. some will accept the money you give. others will not, because they are contented with what they have.
best wishes.
pandas and the squalor can turn off even the most ardent believers
avoid the winter weather or take sufficient woollens
book yourself into decent hotels online
language can be a barrier. take some who can communicate in hindi.
if you can afford go in for air travel. train travel in lawless UP,Bihar is a horror. no reservation rules really apply
approaching gaya from calcutta would be easier. while delhi would be good for varanasi. opt for rajdhani if you opt for train travel from delhi or calcutta
try spending minimum time in varanasi and gaya and escape to calcutta or delhi at the earliest
good luck