Dia Mirza’s Varanasi Diaries: Basking in Banarasi Culture and Wood-Fired Pizza

VARANASI, INDIA — Bollywood actor, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador, and ultimate eco-champion Dia Mirza was recently spotted exploring the ancient, soul-stirring lanes of Varanasi. While the spiritual hub is globally renowned for its deeply moving Ganga Aarti, timeless ghats, and mouth-watering street food like tamatar chaat, Dia chose to blend cultural exploration with a delightfully unexpected culinary twist: a comforting pizza date at the city's iconic Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe at Assi Ghat.

Known for her minimal yet elegant style philosophy, Dia has been making waves by championing local artisans, famously donning radiant handwoven Banarasi sarees. However, during a break from her busy itinerary—which includes collaborating with PETA India to voice "Ellie," Asia's first empathy-building animatronic elephant touring Varanasi schools—the actor took some well-deserved time off to sit back, relax, and look out over the holy river Ganga.