February generously brought me quite few opportunities of travel and just how! The third week of the month had me and family pack our bags and leave for Varanasi, the religious capital of India popularly known as ‘City of Ghats’, ‘City of Salvation’, and one that proudly stands as one of the oldest cities in the world.
As a kid, mom had narrated a tale. I don’t remember the middle or end of it, just the start. Mom began, “You know the only time, time ever stopped? It was when it visited Benares.” Whether that is fact or fiction, but as a child it had a profound effect on me. And has stayed with me since forever.
Greatest men of all times have been bewitched by this city. When Mark Twain visited Benares, he was dumbstruck by its sheer opulence of cultural and spiritual beauty.
He wrote,
Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.
Kashikhanda thus describes the holiest city on the planet.
Are there not many holy places on this earth?
Yet which of them would equal in the balance one speck of Kashi’s dust?
Are there not many rivers running to the sea?
Yet which of them is like the River of Heaven in Kashi?
Are there not many fields of liberation on earth?
Yet not one equals the smallest part of the city never forsaken by Shiva.
The Ganges, Shiva and Kashi: Where this Trinity is watchful, no wonder here is found the grace that leads one on to perfect bliss.
As legend has it, when Lord Shiva was wedded to princess Parvati, he couldn’t take her to the Himalayas; devoid of life. He chose to live in Kashi, Varanasi, for he loved the plains, the ghats, and the natural beauty of the place. Ever since, it has been called Lord Shiva’s humble home, second to Himalayas. It is written in Hindu scriptures that it was Lord Shiva who founded Varanasi some 5000 years ago.
Benares being my most favorite city in the country, I was naturally immensely excited. We were to be audience to age-old Hindu rituals in traditional Indian weddings since my cousin was getting married.
After the ceremonies were concluded, we had few more days before our return to Mumbai and thus, we took the opportunity to visit places of prominence in the region. Consequently, we visited the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirling, Sarnath Archaelogical Ruins and Museum, the famous Banaras Hindu University and located within its confines the Vishwanath temple, replica of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirling.
I shall quit the talking now and shall let the pictures talk.



























And with that, ends my travelogue. I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I did capturing them. Since I was a child, I have loved this city for its history, the culture, the people, and most of all its tranquil architectural and spiritual beauty.
Visit my IG page @Badbookthief for my travel stories.
✍Question of the day✍
Have you visited Varanasi? What do you love most about the city?
Do share you thoughts in comments below. 🙂
P.S.: All images are copyright. Please seek permission before reproducing.
~~~~~
© Asha Seth
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Great travelogue supplemented by nice pictures..!! 🙂
A visit to Varanasi is always a memorable one. I like the food and the sweets over there, archaeology being the first thing I like about that place.
Dhamek Stupa (500 CE) was built on an older stupa (circa 250 BCE) to mark the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. It feels surreal to be in that exact place. I believe you also saw the National Emblem in original over there in Sarnath.
Looking forward to reading more such travelogues..!! Thank you for sharing.. 🙂
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I did. And I am addicted to historical places and antiques. The Sarnath museum is such a paradise for someone like me. Varanasi always surprises me, and I’ve visited it so many number of times, and even the last one wasn’t last that much I know.
Thanks and happy to know you enjoyed the post.
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You are welcome Madam.. 🙂
You are right. Sarnath as a place is addictive for History and Archaeology lovers..!!
Great post once again.. Thank you for sharing..!!
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this post reminded me of my varanasi days…almost good 10 years of my life… from college to wedding.. beautiful memories..
lovely post and awesome clicks… which camera or phone did you use?
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Hello there, nice to meet you. You stayed in the city for 10 years? That’s awesome. I visit infrequently since it’s my mother’s home town. But how I’d love to go there more often.
I captured the pictures on my phone camera. It is an Oppo F5. It does a fairly good job in retaining true colours and preciseness and clarity. I don’t have a camera. 😦
Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
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Varanasi is the only city where people celebrate even death as a festival. People wish to give their lives on that soil.. we call Varanasi as “THREE KANTAKA VIRAJITE”, kantaka means edge . As per Indian mythology ” Kedar kandam, Vishveswar kandam, Omkar kandam, these three main places of Varanasi laid on Lord siva’s threesul..
I am really blessed to be there number of times..
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I feel so too, we indeed are truly blessed to have left footprints on the sands so sacred as that of Varanasi. It was quite a sight when we spotted a funeral procession going about with equal fervor while we were in the wedding procession. Out of moral etiquette, our band halted and we paid respects to the dead, but the family hinted we carry on.
This is typical of Varanasi alone, as you said, even in death, there’s life.
I have read that bit in legends and by locals, the mythology bit, and how Kal Bhairav is the kotwal of Varanasi and must be paid first visits; even before Lord Shiva himself.
The place holds so many mythological legends.
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What an amazing series of photos, really impressive city and I am glad you had a great time with the family. Alfey looks adorable, I would love to go to Varanasi now.
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You must plan and come and we could go together. I am planning for a visit again in October because that’s when major festivities happen, since October is a very important month in Hindu calendar, in terms of religious significance. What not would you witness!
Do tell me if you plan to.
Alfey has grown up so much. He’s become so mature too.
When are having a good time, time always falls short. That is all, I have to say. 🙂
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I don’t think we will make it this year, there are a few things planned already and money is the key issue at the moment but will definitely let you know if and when we can come!
Time expands to fill the work day and go so slowly, yet time seemingly contracts the fun times.
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I loved all the pictures you shared, really made me smile. My favorites are of the Ganpati ghat, of Alfie and the one with the cow standing in the doorway. Great post 👍
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Thank you so much. There are so many places and someone like me would end up taking a thousand pictures, at least. The place is so scenic; every nook, every ghat.
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Banaras attracts me all and reasons are so clearly mentioned in your post !! Beautiful description of traditions and well explained pictures!!! Spectacularly penned everything you wished to convey!!
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Thank you very much. Guess, I was equally happy to put down my memories on paper just as much as I enjoyed it. 🙂
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That’s true I suppose because that’s beautifully portrayed in your poems
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Post *
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Hello Asha!
I love these photos! It was also interesting reading about some of the cultural tidbits about India. It seems like you enjoyed this trip, which is great to hear. Thank you for sharing 🙂
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Happy to bring it all to your eyes to have you witness some of the best in the world. Thanks, Sophie, for stopping by. 🙂
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I read this so eagerly, it is a brilliant post! I’m really interested now in reading the legend behind it. Thank you for sharing. 🌹
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You’ll find it all on Wiki, Arbie. That way it’s great; the legends and history is so popular that there are hundreds of scriptures and resources you can delight yourself with. Need me help? You need just ask. 🙂 Have a wonderful time.
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बहुत अच्छा लिखा आपने 👌
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Shukriya!
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I’m awe. This is such a beautiful place. I can’t wait to visit. You’ve captured it so well. Thank you for such beautiful pictures and for allowing me to come along with you. You guys look lovely. You have a beautiful family. I’m very excited for the bride and groom. I will pray for them and I wish them well and many happy years together.
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Thanks, Kath. Your wishes are conveyed. I even made friends with a couple from Hungary and a group from Lithuania. It is amazing how they love our cultures and history. One group travels every year to Varanasi because they ‘just can’t stay away too long’. Isn’t it wonderful to know something like that about your country?
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You’re so welcome. That’s awesome. How exciting. I love to make friends and learn something new. Yes it is. That’s awesome.
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Aah these are such lovely pictures, and you look beautiful Asha! ❤
I’ve wanted to visit Varanasi since ages, but yet to visit! You must have had such an amazing trip!
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Oh, what’s stopping you? You must go right away. I did have a splendid time. Capturing pictures is one of my favorite vocations and opportunities like that are one in a million. I couldn’t put up everything here. But they’re up on my Instagram. You could check out here @_silver_doe_.
Have a fantastic week, buddy! 🙂
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Pictures speaks a thousand words and it did in your travelogue. Nice reading your travel experiences. Alfey traveled all along, thats nice. Lovely snaps….
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Well, I did have a splendid time. But no Alfey wasnt traveling. For two years now, he lives with my aunt in Varanasi itself. Thanks, Ravi.
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Alfey is too cute…amazing pics
Roy
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He is and uber naughty too. Thanks for stopping by.
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Beautiful pics! Seems you had a great time.
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Oh, time did stop for me there and how I wish routine life didnt suck me back into it. What have you been upto, love?
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I have been traveling too for official events. Just returned from Shimla 😊
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Next up on my list is Shimla. What say you is the best time to go there?
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Summers….or during new year, if you want to see the snowfall
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