Banaras(Kashi), a city where every street, every ghat and every prayer touches the soul. This city cannot merely be seen, it can be felt more than a destination. It is a feeling that stays with you long after you leave.
Banaras
Banaras or Kashi is known to be the oldest city located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on the western bank of the sacred River Ganga, also known as spiritual capital of India.
When you reach Kashi, you will automatically feel the magic of that place, time begins to slow down no rush, no worries. The sound of temple bells, the chants echoing the air, the fragrance of incense & gentle flow of Ganga. There is a saying that “Kashi itself calls those who are meant to experience its timeless soul.” & when you reach yourself started to feel this beautiful feeling inside yourself. As the sun rises over the ghats, the city awakens with prayers devotion & quite hope. Walking through its narrow lanes, you feel surrounded by centuries of history and faith.
Kashi has more than 80 ghats and every ghat has its own story and experience. When you walk around these ghats you will experience reality of life, peace. You will see people around you praying, bathing &, meditating and feeling of calmness in life.
Dashashwamedh ghat’s evening aarti will take your breath away. As the sun slowly disappears beyond the horizon Kashi transforms into a breathtaking spectacle of light, sound & devotion. Priests dressed in traditional attire stand in perfect harmony, holding large brass lamps & the rhythmic chanting of Vedic hymns. Thousands of devotees with a hope inside them watching it with all their hearts. Nothing can match this feeling of togetherness and a hope in all people that one day world will bee a better place to live. When you take a walk around ghats at night, you will see thousand of people sleeping at the ghats and seeing them you will realise that true peace is not found in luxury but in contentment.
Morning’s of Banaras is nothing short of magical. People around you awakes with more energy. Even long before sunrise, people of all ages quietly walk along the riverbank. Some come to offer prayers and take a holy dip. Vendors begin setting up their stalls, serving hot chai & local snacks, while the city gradually awakens. At that time a visit to Assi ghat is more than just the start of a new day – touches the soul of When you roam around ghats you will be get to know that in Banaras, even death is not feared as death is not seen as end but as the beginning of an eternal journey. You can see it itself at Manikarnika & Harishchandra Ghat. Manikarnika Ghat is the oldest and most sacred cremation ghat in Banaras. Acc. to hindu belief, those who are cremated here attain moksha: freedom from cycle of birth and death.
According to Hindu mythology, it is said that one of Goddess Parvati’s jeweled earrings fell in Manikarnika. Some people believe that Manikarnika ghat was cursed by Lord Shiva that’s why funeral pyres burn there continuously.
If you wanted to take a look on the soul of banaras, you must took a boat ride on the Ganga. As the boat moves gently, you will feel a sense of calmness, & spirituality & a breathtaking view of city’s ancient ghats, magnificent temples & timeless architecture. With every passing second you will realise the real meaning of life & true spirituality.