Although I am loath to go on media and organised FAM trips; a word of advice from a well wisher made me say yes to the invite from Uttar Pradesh Tourism Board. I like exploring places in my own carefree style and have realised that the whirlwind operations of cramming in and ticking off places from a list is not what I am keen on doing.
It turned out to be a great decision. Among the three cities on offer, I opted for Varanasi and chose to spend more time on my own after the UP Tourism Travel Writers’ Conclave was over.
This way I could live by the ghats and experience Varanasi as it is meant to be experienced, for they say life in Kāshi has existed like this for over 2500 years.
Death in Kāshi is not a feared death. Death in Kāshi is death known and faced, transformed and transcended. ~ Banaras by Diana L. Eck.
Varanasi seems so devoid of space that people transact business in the smallest possible spaces. On the left is a paan wallah and on the right is a general store on wheels!
People go to various places in the world to live it up, but they come to Varanasi to die.
Varanasi resides in its narrow lanes and the ghats. Conversations and opinions flow freely in the chai addas and before you realise it ‘Your soul already has found home in Banaras.‘
The Mughals ran through Varanasi and destroyed the entire city. Although few buildings in Banaras are more than 200 years old, the city itself appears timeless.
Siesta time in Banaras. People will be seen lying down on every little space that they can find, someone will peruse you with a dreamy eye and will still try to tell you something. It seems to be an eternally poor city, and yet the heart is rich in Kāshi.
Aurangzeb destroyed the temples and erected Mosques on the same foundations, thus Hindus and Muslims co-exist side by side in Varanasi.
In the second photograph : You are never too far away from a Bombay Bhel Puri.
I was invited to Varanasi by Uttar Pradesh Tourism in Association with Lonely Planet Magazine India. Views as always are my own.
For more travel stories, anecdotes and experiences connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
It feels so good that I have traveled to kashi and seen it myself.
The pic of the narrow lane with a man and buildings on both sides is very beautiful.
Wow Shubham! There is so much character in these pictures ; and I absolutely love the post! Eagerly waiting for more stories from your the Banaras sojourn 🙂
Yay, thank you so much Budding Writers for your heartfelt appreciation. Shall be making an entire series of posts on Varanasi – there is so much to share from that incredible place.
Thanks for bringing back memories of Banaras through your post. I was there earlier this year, walking in these absolutely narrow gallis and bowled over by the chaos of the place.
I will wait for your Doors of Banaras post. I had planned to do one too but it never saw the light of the day 😀 Hehe. Sometime next year maybe :p
HAHAHA, you are the best! I was fascinated with Banaras and one of the chief reasons was your mind-blowing post earlier this year.
I have planned a series of 5-6 posts on Varanasi and there is a separate one planned for Pashupatinath Nepali Temple. You will love the intricate carvings on the main temple. Cheers and thanks again.
It feels so good that I have traveled to kashi and seen it myself.
The pic of the narrow lane with a man and buildings on both sides is very beautiful.
Thats awesome to know. Would love to read your experiences of Kāshi.
Thank you so much for the appreciation 🙂
Wow Shubham! There is so much character in these pictures ; and I absolutely love the post! Eagerly waiting for more stories from your the Banaras sojourn 🙂
Yay, thank you so much Budding Writers for your heartfelt appreciation. Shall be making an entire series of posts on Varanasi – there is so much to share from that incredible place.
Okay. First things first.
That Nepali temple pic is WOW.
The picture right below it is WOWer:)
Thanks for bringing back memories of Banaras through your post. I was there earlier this year, walking in these absolutely narrow gallis and bowled over by the chaos of the place.
I will wait for your Doors of Banaras post. I had planned to do one too but it never saw the light of the day 😀 Hehe. Sometime next year maybe :p
HAHAHA, you are the best! I was fascinated with Banaras and one of the chief reasons was your mind-blowing post earlier this year.
I have planned a series of 5-6 posts on Varanasi and there is a separate one planned for Pashupatinath Nepali Temple. You will love the intricate carvings on the main temple. Cheers and thanks again.
Really nice photo essay. It was like vicariously walking through those lanes. 🙂
Thank you Priya 🙂 I am glad to know that the post made it possible; thanks for the appreciation.
looking for Dried Beer Bahooti and Beer Bahooti oil. please advise the name of trader’s where i can buy.
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Amazing and mind blowing pictures. Truly Kashi is the spiritual capital of the world.
Many many thanks for the appreciation. 🙂 Well said 🙂
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Great clicks at the Photographer’s Paradise that is Varanasi/Benaras
Thanks so much for this great compliment. Varanasi is indeed a photographer’s delight.
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