Varanasi # City of light

"Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". - Mark Twain

Lets dive in some History :

- Varanasi is known by various names, be it Benaras, Banaras, Kashi, Avimukta (never forsaken), Anandavana (forest of bliss), or Rudravasa (where Shiva resides) call it whatever catches your fancy.

- Hindus believe that one, who dies in Varanasi, attains Moksha or salvation from the cycle of rebirth. There are around 23,000 temples in Varanasi and a mosque built by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb which hold witness to the claim. With Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon, just 10Km away.

- Along the Ghats of Ganges is where the Kings created their lavish houses, giving Varanasi the intriguing facades which you will witness.With the presence of Royal Patrons and enlightened souls Varanasi became a true Symbol of Indian Renaissance! Knowledge, Philosophy, culture, devotion, arts all have flourished here for centuries.Ayurveda and Yoga are said to have originated in the city.

- Varanasi is famous for its trade of the finest silks, gold and silver brocades. This learned city is associated with the ever famous novelists Prem Chand and Tulsi Das. Many exponents like Ravi Shankar and Ustad Bismillah Khan, are all sons of the blessed city.

The city which has got the perfect combination of culture and Arts along with the mesmerized beauty of holy Ganga River. Your visit to Varanasi wont be complete without visiting various Ghats that lie on the banks of Ganga. Witnessing the Ganga Aarti from Dashashwamedh Ghat is truly an unforgettable experience.I explored this city in one day as I was short on my time but I covered all the things easily, two days are more than enough. So This Blog may help you to plan your trip , I would be giving all the details regarding my journey which may help you to plan yours soon. #Tho Chalain !!

1) # Travel

- Varanasi is well connected through all major cities of India. If you are planning to go by air you need to land at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport which is 26Km from main Varanasi City. Usually it might happen you may not get direct flights from your native city but thoda layover Sehna padega in Delhi . I love Train Journeys so for me there was only one option. So I boarded my Train from Surat as I live here and started by Journey towards Varanasi. FYI: Varanasi Junction Railway Station also known as Varanasi Cantt railway station [IRCTC initials : BSB (Varanasi Jn)]. Below Image you are seeing is of Varanasi Junction at Night.

2) # Stay

- For every Individual or family planning a vacation, this is a headache when we start the Journey. Everybody is like #Gumna tho ho Jayega , Rukenge Kaha#. Don't worry I will make your burden less. Just head to Travo Tales Hostel . Perfect Stay for groups, solo , even Private rooms too available. Service, Cafe, Rooms, Food... Perfect and Excellent !!The Hostel Manager "Raj" is a very professional and diligent man. His hospitality was adorable. The hostel has a great common area and great roof top cafe.

3) #Explore Phase # Places to Visit !!

- Here I am sharing my series of events based on time availability what I got to do in Varanasi. You can get at least some Idea and plan yours accordingly !!

A) Morning Boat Ride

- As I was staying at Travo tales, from here Ghats are around at a distance of approx 2 Kms. So instead of hiring any vehicle or Tuk-tuk I preferred walking down to the Gallis (Alleys). This is where you will get a glimpse into the real Varanasi. Strolling in the gallis of Banaras you will understand why is it considered to be a gifted city. Though the Boat ride at Ghats is available whole day from early Morning to Evening till Darkness, but my suggestion here would be wake up early, reach till 6 or 6 30 AM to Dashashwamedh Ghat and enjoy the silence and pleasant boat ride with birds chirping around you.

Route of Boat Ride : Dashashwamedh Ghat >> Assi Ghat (Southernmost Ghat)>> Back to Dashashwamedh Ghat >>> Manikarnika Ghat >>> Back to Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Duration : Around 45mins to One Hour

Cost : Motor Boat Personal (1000 INR), Normal Paddling Boat (Around 700 INR), Boat charges if going in group of 25-30 People whole day around (50INR to 250 INR per Person)

- If You have some time you can also have a walk on the Ghats. The day along the 7 Km long, connected, arched and steep stretches of the Ganges is expressive. It will amaze you in uncountable ways, at every ghat and corner you will find a unique story. The amplified atmosphere will etch itself in your memory for an eternity. The view of the rising sun on the holy Ganges with temples in the background will be a blessing for the eye.

- There is Jantar Mantar observatory just next to Dashashwamedh Ghat. I missed it but my suggestion would be to have a look on it too. The observatory includes many stone instruments that are used to find the position, distance and other characteristics of all the planets, moon and sun.

B) Kashi Vishwanath Temple

- Located just on the outskirts of Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the 12 jyotirlinga Shiva Temples of the country.

- FYI : There will be many locals who will run behind you regarding various Darshan Queues and VIP entry , don't fall in trap. Its very simple and straight forward , just go in from Main Entrance , head straight towards temple. There will be normal queue which will take hardly 15-20 mins for Darshan and return back straight again to main road via same route.

c) Sarnath

- Travo tales can arrange an Auto if you want to visit Sarnath. Suggestion would be to visit it, Beautiful Place !!

Cost : 800 INR (Hostel>>Sarnath>>Hostel), 1200 INR (Hostel>>Temples>>Sarnath>>Hostel)

- SARNATH, about 10km from the city of Varanasi, is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first Sermon. The celebrated Mantra, 'Buddham Sharanam Gachhami', owes its origin to Sarnath. On the day before his death Buddha included Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places he thought to be sacred to his followers. It makes Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places.

- There are many Buddhist monuments and edifices in Sarnath. Some of the important one includes Dhamekha Stupa, the Chaukhandi Stupa and monasteries and temples of different schools of Buddhism from Japan, China, Thailand, Burma and others. The Indian Buddhist society called Mahabodhi Society maintains a park around the Buddha Temple. The Mahabodhi Temple within the park has a tooth relic of the Buddha.

- Following are some of the images I tried to Capture at Sarnath

- There is also vast expanse of ancient ruins at Sarnath. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd Century BC and the 11th Century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. The Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath is the National emblem of India.

D) Evening Ganga Aarti

- After returning from Sarnath, u can utilize some time before Evening Aarti to explore local foods such as Chaats at Kaashi Chat Bhandar or Deena Chat Bhandar. Dont forget to try Malaiyyo [flavored milk foam/froth or cloud served in a small earthen bowl, garnished with Pistachios and Almonds]

- Evening Aarti usually starts around 6 30 Pm or 7 Pm and everyone who is in Varanasi for tourist purpose is keen to attend this beautiful occasion, so make sure that till 6 Pm you are on the Ghat otherwise crowd increases at the end.

- The Ganga Aarti Ceremony held every evening at the Dashashwamedh Ghat at Varanasi is one of the most spectacular religious or devotional rituals carried out in the world. The uniformity of the movement will surely leave you baffled and speechless at the same time.

- The Aarti is always carried out facing the River Ganga. A lot of lamps are lit during the aarti. They are usually circled out by priests. It is always done clockwise. A group of young saints dressed up with silky saffron and white robes conduct this ceremony. Each pandit or saint takes up a specific spot in the Ghat and start the ritual by offering flowers to the river. The ritual includes many oil lamps like snake hood lamp which are waved in a synced motion.

- This aarti will surely give you goose bumps. You will feel the energy floating around you. You will be bestowed with peace and tranquillity. It is surely a very spiritual feeling. The mantras do have certain vibrations and you will be able to feel all of them. It is a different experience and it cannot be written or described. It can only be felt at the Varanasi Ganga Aarti.

- No entrance fee for watching the ceremony. A good way of witnessing the whole ritual is by being in a boat. They will charge 50 INR but believe me its worth viewing from boat instead of standing on Ghats.

4) # End

- I hope this will help you to plan your next trip to Varanasi. Overall Cost including Food, Stay and Travel for One day in Varanasi (including Sarnath) should charge you around 4-5K INR.