We landed in Varanasi around 8 pm and it was chilly outside. Booked a cab and reached our hotel. The trip was a family trip and it has two main purposes. One being visiting Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the other one was to take a leisurely boat ride along the ghats to experience the history rich ghats. We checked in and slept that night as it was 10 pm curfew time. There was some different level of excitement for the trip as we have read a lot about the ghats and food and the surreal existence of the city through ages. Varanasi is popularly known by three names. One being Varanasi (The newest name) and the other two are Banaras and Kashi being the oldest name.
We woke up early morning and has breakfast of kings at the roof top of our hotel. Our hotel was situated on main street leading to Dashashwamedh Ghat. People started to pour in to take dip in Ganga ji. It is believed to be the holiest river in the world which can wipe away your sins if you really go there with the "Ashtha". We then proceed to the Assi Ghat for the Boat ride till the Northern most ghat. We hired a rowing boat, the boatmen was very polite and kept us busy with the exciting stories of the ghats as we are passing through. The best part was the soothing sound of bells and prayers at the temples along the ghats. The birds were very playful and were flying along the boat. It was spectacular to watch the oldest city passing by. After the boat ride, We went to the Vishwanath Gali, where we skipped the lunch and indulge into the street food. The street food here is beyond imagination. We started with Kashi Chat Bhandar, one of the landmark eatery right on the gadaulia chauraha, the gate way to Vishwanath temple and the ghats. Tamatar Chat being the most tasty dish i tried. Later that day we had some rest at hotel and in the evening we went for the darshan. Camera's were not allowed in the temple, but oh my god i can say it was very relaxing. We then visited the Manikarnika Ghat around the sunset and it was such a different experience to see so many divine bodies are being cremated there. We ended out day again at chat bhandars where we loved the taste of banaras.
Today we skipped the breakfast at the hotel and went to the Ram Bhandar for their world famous Kachori Bhaji. it was indeed fulfilling and the Jalebis over there was next level. We then headed towards Sarnath to witness the Santi Stupa. indeed it was magnificent site to experience. We stayed there for two hours in complete peace. from there we went to Ramnagar fort on the opposite side of the river and it is the place where movies like ranjhna shot. It has different perspective of the city from the other side of the Ganga ji. It was tiring day with trips to far ends of the city. but hey how can a banaras trip ends without buying some authentic Banarasi Sarees? We headed to Gadaulia again and surfed few shops to get gifts for the family. One advise here is you need to bargain and definitely have to have some good knowledge about the Fabric. The we came to the Hotel had light dinner and said good bye till next time to the City older than Ages.
It was fulling trip with quite a spiritual experience.
