The melting pot of Indian Civilization. Review on Varanasi

Are you planning to visit Varanasi? To seek salvation, for fun, out of curiosity, nearby destination or free holiday – your excuse can be any but do visit, and I will give you the reasons why.

Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities of the world. It is amongst those cities of India which fascinate a lot of foreigners. Kashi – named after Kashi Naresh, who is believed to be descendant of Lord Shiva, gradually changed to Banaras and finally Varanasi which logically derives its name from two tributaries of Ganga i.e. Varuna and Assi which define the Varanasi City. The city is filled with stories and mythological beliefs – Mano Ya Na Mano. This is the city where it is believed that no one sleeps hungry. Also, you may find garbage or other forms of it, but no stench – as it is believed that Ganges purify the air constantly, and hence is city of Salvation as well. The city still has its rustic look well maintained, as the Municipality does not permit you to erect any new building or construction, specially in the old Varanasi. You can repair and maintain the building, but if it goes down, all we can see there is a flat straight ground.

How to Reach

By Air : Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport or Babatpur Airport connects to many cities.

By Train : Enjoy your train ride as approximately 70 trains from Delhi and 24 trains from Mumbai are constantly helping to reach Varanasi.

By Road : Well, you are in UP, so prepare for the joyride. From Lucknow to Varanasi, which is approximately 320 kms, has 13 railway crossings, and till Amethi the road is on and off 2 to 4 lane highway, after that it is not exactly in definable terms (my experience). Connectivity from other cities is also there, but please check before you leap.

Where to stay

The city offers a wide range of Hotels to stay with almost budgets that suits everyone. I have my experience with Taj and Ramada. Hotel Taj is on Nadesar Palace, with a more lavish space, furniture and ambience. But during my stay out of order lift, slow service levels and not so wonderful breakfast buffet was a turn off for me. Ramada on the other hand, a km away from Taj, does not give you the luxurious ambience. It gives you a very compact feeling, but the services and food are great.

What to see

Varanasi is a city of cultural diversity. It is a holy city for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Muslims.

Kaal Bhairav Temple : It is situated 1 km from Chowk. According to the Hindu Mythology, it is mandatory to visit this temple before going to any other temple in Varanasi. He guards the Lord Shiv and Parvati, and hence we go there to seek his permission. It is also called the Laat Bhairav Temple (Laat – The Staff). It was approximately 35 feet high, which even survived Aurangzeb’s wrath but was unfortunately destroyed in a communal riot. A stub covered with cloth is respected and worshiped with full flair.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple : It is a place where every Hindu plans to visit and offer his prayers once in his lifetime. It does not have a classy ambience or a lavish entrance or intricately sculpted statues. This temple is mentioned in Puranas, and was supposed to be first built in 490 AD, but then it was constantly raided and destroyed and rebuilt. The final structure was erected by Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1780. The original Shiv Linga was thrown in a well, and there it still rests. You have to go through the “Kashi ki Gali” to reach this temple. It is the atmosphere that captures you. You can be part of VIP arti that takes place at 4 a.m. if you can grab a VIP pass, as it has a limited number everyday. This temple also has Maa Annapurna Temple, as she is believed to reside there and hence explains why no one sleeps hungry in that city.

Kedareshwar temple is not a well known temple but holds its aura. Apart from this Sankata Devi Temple, Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple are the places you can visit.

Parsvanath Temple : Varanasi is birthplace of 23rd Tirthankara Shri Parsvanath. This temple is in Bhelupur and has lot of importance. The temple holds its aura and is mersmerising.

The Ghats of Varanasi : There are nearly 100 ghats in Varanasi. Every ghat has its own story. The ghat one can go easily is Dashashwamedh Ghat. It is the main ghat where everyday Ganga Arti is performed with full flair and devotion. It is a well synchronized prayer which can mersmerize you. You can pay a few bucks and sit in a boat in Ganges and enjoy the Aarti or be a part of arti by paying a donation. In the boat you can buy a small offering to River Ganges and enjoy a diya and flowers floating in the cold fresh water. You can take a quick tour of all the ghats by boat, where the raju guide will give you details while rowing the boat. Harishchandra Ghat can give you goosebumps as last rites are performed there.

Banaras Hindu University : One of the oldest Universitie of India, which are reputed and still churn the cream of India. It also has a museum which showcase the different scholars, statues and narrate the history of Varanasi in its own words.

Sarnath : A place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. The temple is supposed to have hair, teeth, bone and nail of Gautam Buddha, which are displayed only on Buddh Poornima. The temple has not so old paintings courtesy Japanese financers and artists which depict the life and teaching of Lord Buddha. Apart from that there are few more temples which showcase Buddhism very vividly. It is also birthplace of 11th Jain Teerthankara Shri Shreyansnath Bhagwan and his simple and divine temple brings inner peace. There is an Archeological Museum in Sarnath where you can find the Ashoka Pillar and Ashoka Chakra in main lobby as its main attraction. Apart from them it has different galleries which depict the statues from different eras. It is a good collection, worth seeing, if you have a taste for history.

There are malls, and good eating joints in New Varanasi, where Dominos, McD, Pizza Hut are standard joints if you are in no mood to experiment.

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