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 hile there may remain a few old cities frozen with time in the world, there is no controversy to the fact that the world has only one Eternal city. Welcome to Varanasi.
It is quite futile an exercise to ascertain the exact age of the city but its old name Kashi is as old as Indias mythology extends backwards in the time machine.
F or a devout Hindu, this is a blessed city through which the holiest river Ganges flows. The Ganges here purifies even
the pollutest of souls. This is also the city of Lord Shiva- The destroyer, thus it is considered as the ultimate place to die at. Death is not considered a matter of grief here but a happy
culmination of one of the phases of unending cycle of births and rebirths. Last rites
performed at Varanasi makes the soul reach salvation making the soul come out of this vicious cycle.
Rejoice is
witnessed in every aspect of life here. A festival or a holy ritual may survive only for a few hours as the next one may be waiting to happen. Varanasi is a happening place- religiously and
culturally. The entire gamut of activities unfold on the banks of Ganga- right from early morning baths to funeral pyres burning whole day to grand evening prayers
marked by uncountable little oil lamps floated over
the water.
Sadhus, the saints, in every conceivable looks and every kind of attire (or no attire at all) seat themselves at the most vantage positions not only to make
themselves ideal photogenic pieces but to attract maximum number of followers.
Series of ghats (steps leading to the river) by different names remain a hive of activities always. Ritualistic cleansing, special worships
(puja), flower selling, temple prayers, work outs of wrestlers, animal feeding, begging and
donations all happen here over the ghats. The ghats of Benaras (yet another name of Varanasi) are synonymous to the identity and peculiarity of
Varanasi. From here in side the city are spread the famous labyrinthine lanes of
Varanasi. Some so narrow that only one person may walk through at a time. Adding to this are holy cows and bulls punctually
present at every nook and corner.
Varanasi is the city of temples and all of these thousands of temples open on such lanes. Even the
Kashi Viswanath (the main temple of Lord Shiva) temple is difficult to find
through the lanes.
The lanes of Varanasi are also famous for other reasons -
for its sweet makers, paan
wallahs, widow-homes, and dharamshalas (caravanserai). Many stalwarts of Indian classical music reside here in their ancestral homes carrying their ages old artistic traditions. Varanasi is also famous for its silk weaving
industry, so
are the carpets of nearby
Mirzapur town.
The popularity of Varanasi can be counted for many other reasons, for it is the
oldest living city of the world. For some it can be a source of purification, for many others it is
the dirtiest urban mess they have ever seen. For some its festivities inspire celebration of life yet for some others its celebrated
funeral ceremonies invite perplexed reactions. The strange rituals may seem fascinating to many, the same practices seem
orthodox or sometimes inhuman to others. For many its spiritually charged atmosphere is enlightening, yet at the same time its dirt is disgusting.
Love it or hate it, Varanasi is one city that fails to leave any visitor unaffected by its overwhelming identity.
Very near to Varanasi at Sarnath are a whole range of monuments, ruins and inscriptions that prove that Buddha delivered his first sermon here. But this also proves one fact- there has been something eternally special about this place known as
Varanasi.
| QUICK FACTS |
| Getting there |
Varanasi is a major airport of the region with connection even to Nepal. The railway station is well served. Mughalsarai station nearby is the busiest railway junction in India. The Grand Trunk Road (Indias oldest working highway) passes through Varanasi. |
| Further connections |
Kushinagar, Patna, Kathmandu and Khajuraho. |
| Best time to visit |
Hot summers, chilly winters and heavy monsoon rains (July to September). Winter months are pleasant (October to March). Floods are common. |
| Important Festivals |
Being one of the most sacred cities for Hindus, festivities go on all through the year.
Some of the important festivals are Maha Shiv Ratri, Deepavali, and
Holi. |
| Precautions |
Varanasi is a pulsating religious center.
Varanasi is notorious for conmen and thugs. There may be sadhus who may try to take advantage of your unawareness about the place. Take care of your belongings and never fall in the trap of forced religious donations. Dont take pictures of Sadhus without their permission. Take care of the religious sensitivities. |
| TOURS TO VARANASI | |
 
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