Benaras is not just a place for pilgrimage or a place to find an escape. It is a place where you want to visit again and again for the amazing tranquillity it offers amidst all the chaos. Yes, it can be touristy as it attracts a lot of people from across the globe but the sights, the smells and the sounds of this city of ghats will make you long for it even after you are back.
I was visiting Varanasi, also called Benaras, with friends to attend a friend’s wedding and all of us squeezed out some time to explore the city’s aspects. You will encounter colourful shops, amazing food and of course, holy cows at every street corner which makes the city all the more endearing.
A Place For Trance
Image Courtesy: @nancy.johri.5/Facebook
No, I am not talking about the trance-like high of ganja but the mere spectacle of the evening aarti that will make you forget everything around you. There are in total 88 ghats and you need to have a lot of time to explore all of them. After reaching Assi Ghat in the evening, the first thing that we did was to hire a boat and enjoy a slow ride to take in the scenery of the majestic Ganga that flows through the holy city of Varanasi. As daylight came and twilight fell, the sounds of aarti started drifting from afar. Our boatman steered us towards the main area from where the full view of the aarti could be seen. Seeing the pujaris handle huge lamps while chanting mantras in unison is a sight that you cannot get enough of. The cost of a boat ride is negotiable and it is lesser if you are travelling in a group.
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Moving towards the burning ghats in Varanasi, including the Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations take place, we were reminded of the fact that this is the final journey of every Hindu man, woman and child. This is the place to break the cycle of birth and death.
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Banarasi Paan, Pizza & More
While gorging on thoroughly Indian fare maybe the food goal of every traveller here, we were already feasting on Indian food at the wedding so we decided to explore the cafes overlooking the ghats of Varanasi. And what a find they were! A cheesy veg lasagne done to perfection, mouth-watering pasta and an apple pie with ice-cream was what we tried at the Pizzeria Vatika Cafe located at Assi Ghat. Another great place was Downtown Pizza which had amazing coffee and pizza.
Also try: The Makhan Malaiyo (a delicious creamy, frothy dessert), Chhena Dahi Vada, Kachori Sabzi and Choora Matar. Don’t forget having the paan at Dashwamedh Ghat!
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Banaras Hindu University
Image Courtesy: @nancy.johri.5/Facebook
I was lucky enough to stay near the Banaras Hindu University and got to explore its beautiful campus area with my friend Nancy Johri who is a travel junkie herself. Established way back in 1916, the BHU campus is spread across 1,300 acres and houses beautiful halls of residences that are nicely maintained. A lazy stroll will make you want to get lost in its multiple lanes surrounded by huge trees. Do stop by for a cup of Rs 5 chai and a bite or juice at the kiosks inside and contemplate about your life.
Want to know about touristy destinations, offbeat destinations, places to get lost and more? Then keep browsing through Her Zindagi to indulge the traveller in you.
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