Kaashi, Varanasi or Benaras. Whatever you may call it, one thing is for sure. The city comes at you with full force reverberating through your senses with numerous temples, ghats, ceremonies, dogmas, cultural diversity and numerous other things. The mighty river Ganges majestically flowing through the city provides a perfect backdrop for enchanting experiences.
As Mark Twain famously said about the city “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. These lines say it all. It is seen to be believed.
Ghats of the Banaras alongside river Ganga is where most of the real action is packed. It is an entire kaleidoscope of human life. Life and Death happily co-exists here giving life probably the real meaning it really has. Endless stream of people taking their holy dips, pleasing the gods with never ending rituals, it is as if a sea of humanity has descended on the Ghats. The plethora of colors is amazing. Around 80 ghats all connected through a huge series of steps provide the background for the city to be enjoyed through the lazy boat rides culminating in the majestic evening aartis.
Kashi Vishwanath one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage site is near one of the main ghats. Surrounded by narrow old world cobblestone lanes are occupied with humans, cows and canines each trying to dodge off the other. It is nearly impossible not to get lost in the maze. The best thing actually is to let yourself get lost in it while enjoying the life of the bustling bazaars.
The bylanes from the Dasashwamedh ghat to Assi ghat are a backpackers delight. Lots of old world charm. Old halwais with their sumptuous offerings, numerous music shops, and so on. It is unsurprising to find old dilapidated houses with enchanting classical music flowing from them taking you to a different plane. Restaurants having free classical concerts every evening and so on.
Around 10 km from city is Sarnath, one of main pilgrimage sites of Buddhism. A place that should definitely be visited. The Mahabodhi temple at the place where Buddha unveiled the wheel of dharma by preaching his first sermon. Ruins of Sarnath excellently preserved by ASI with the Dhamek Stupa providing the backdrop. Nearby in an ASI museum we have the original Indian Emblem(Ashok Chakra) in all its majesty along with numerous artifacts from the Ashoka era. One sculpture of Buddha has really left me mesmerized. That sculpture had Buddha in his preaching posture, legs and hands folded, eyes half mast, a subtle smile enough to evoke feeling of complete joy and serenity within onself just by standing there looking at it. Definitely a must visit.
So much to see, so much to do, so much to experience. Unfortunately I just had couple of days to experience the city. How off the whack can your estimate be. These 2 days are not even the tip of the iceberg to experience the city. I know I will be back and this time it would not be for 2 days.