Thursday 24 April 2014

Banaras- Colors of India


Last month I got a chance to visit " Shiv Ki Nagari" Kashi. As I was there for only one day and have to attend GD-PI of FMS-BHU, but still I wanted to explore the city as much as I can. With just 6-7 hours in our hand, we (me and my dad) started exploring one of the oldest cities in the world.

                                 
Main Gate Of BHU

Varanasi or what locals say Banaras has many faces as a city. It is a colorful blend of religion, culture, spirituality, food and so many other things which symbolize India. Roaming in those narrow lanes, being a part of the chaos of the city made me feel real India.

Our first stop after leaving from BHU was Guru Ravidas Mandir, which is the birth place of Guru Ravidas ji. It is a small temple near BHU and it is said that Guru Ravidas used to live and do Bhakti at this place.

                 
Guru Ravidas Mandir (that's my dad!!)

Our next destination was Kashi Vishvanath Temple and the first thing that I noticed that the whole place was swarming with devotees from all across India. Mobiles and cameras were not allowed in the temple premises. After an hour of jostling with the crowd we had our darshan and pooja. Another thing that I noticed there, the whole place was so dirty and walking barefoot in the temple for a non-religious person like me was a torture.

                                       
Main Gate of Kashi Vishvanath Mandir
                                           

                                                
Shop selling prasad near mandir

After that came the most exciting part of the whole trip The Boat Ride. After a lot of bargaining, we reserved a boat for one hour at the price of 150 per person. As we started our ride, boatmen went on with the stories and history of every ghat that we came across. Various activities were going on the ghats and it was a really captivating view.

                                    
Various Activities going on Ghats


                                                 
Munshi Ghat
                                   

                                                    
Such a Captivating view

                                                        
Manikarnika Ghat



                                                    
Tilted Shiv Mandir


                                                    
Beautiful and Serene


As we had our train at 7 pm, we missed Ganga Aarti (may be some other time sad na!) and decided to roam around the market before going back.

                                                   
Droolworthy Right!!


                                                         
A Shop selling Brassware
                                   

Unfortunately, we were too short of time and missed many things, but I still experienced the essence of Banaras. In spite of its overcrowded temples, dirty lanes and weird traffic rules Banaras have this old world charm which didn't fail to amaze me. I wish I could spend some more time roaming in those narrow lanes and can feel real Banaras.

15 comments:

  1. In spite of the time constraint, I could see that you have managed to explore many places... And thanks for sharing the pics... :)

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    1. ya but I wish I could attend ganga aarti....

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  2. Wow...I didn't know that Banaras is so colorful...nice clicks :)

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  3. Beautiful pictures- I've never been there before!

    ashley-ashstash.blogspot.com

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    1. beautiful place also..........
      p.s thnx for stopping by :)

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  4. Hey, that's my city, and that's my University! :D

    I am not surprised that you loved it in spite of all the dirt and pollution. That's the charm of this place :) I hope you get to explore it more some time. And may be, I can be your guide then ;)

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    1. If everything goes right I will be there for next 2 years then I will make you my permanent guide :)
      P.S thanx for stopping by

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  5. Banaras is on my must visit places since a long time. I want to go here only after I have a DSLR. All the best for your admission to FMS-BHU! :)

    PS: I loved your blog and currently, I am following by email. In case you ever start using bloglovin, let me know. I sometimes prefer that. Oh, and, thanks for visiting the blog :D Hope to see you more there. :) :D

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    Replies
    1. do visit banaras its charming place and i didn't got admission there but got a really nice college, so no regrets :)

      P.S: I am using bloglovin now!!

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    2. and thanks a lot for stopping by :)

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  6. oh, nice. :) where? (unless its too personal :) )

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