Varanasi Vignettes

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Sailesh Sangvi's illustration on Varanasi
Sailesh Sangvi’s illustration on Varanasi

The last couple of weeks were hectic as I was travelling up North. Interestingly I went to Varanasi (or Beneras or Kashi) for the second time as part of the UP Travel Writer’s Conclave 2016 (in its second year). I also went to an art fair Chitrashaala where I met among other artists Sailesh Sanghvi who had some fabulous art work on Varanasi on display. And since I was heading into Rajasthan from Varanasi I was quite struck with the coincidence. Nevertheless, I guess Varanasi is like that – mystical, bustling, quite crazy and yet it has a charm like no other. Exploring the city will offer you something new each time.  Little wonder then that it is tagged as “a city as old as time.”

Another illustration On Kashi from Sailesh Sanghvi
Another illustration On Kashi from Sailesh Sanghvi

In fact when Om Prakash Singh, Minister of Tourism said, “people come here to live and also when to die” it encapsulated what the city was all about quite succinctly! Here are some of my favourite memories from my trips to arguably among the most revered cities in India – after all it has the mighty Ganga flowing in all its majesty!

The Morning Arati

Puja items at the morning arati
Puja items at the morning arati

if you are a morning person like me, you will love the experience of the morning arati. This ritual happens every morning at the crack of dawn and is a great way to start your day in the city.

Visit the weavers

Varanasi is synonymous with the famed Benerasi saree and silks but this is a traditional craft that is under threat. With the influx of power looms, the handloom industry unfortunately does not have a bright future. This is a factory I visited which has one of the 5 traditional looms in the city where there is no computer card design and two weavers work simultaneously to create these traditional fabrics. The gentleman weaving here works 10 hours a day!

A handloom weaver at work in one of the factories
A handloom weaver at work in one of the factories

Appreciate the architecture

Many of the buildings and structures in Varanasi are beautiful and have a vintage element especially around the area surrounding the ghats. This one is right behind the ghats and it is impossible not to see the beautiful intricate wood carvings here!

The quaint buildings in Varanasi
The quaint buildings in Varanasi

Life on the bylanes behind the Ghats

Just like the action is on the ghats, there is a bustling scene being played out in the tiny alleys and lanes behind the ghats. Sample some of this here:

The narrow alleys that are dotted with shops selling all kinds of stuff
The narrow alleys that are dotted with shops selling all kinds of stuff
A sadhu is a common sight here - this one did not bat an eyelid being photographed! he seemed use to it.
A sadhu is a common sight here – this one did not bat an eyelid being photographed!
A beautiful door - one among the many you will see in these alleys
A beautiful door – one among the many you will see in these alleys
Flowers in varied hues for Kashi Vishwanath
Flowers in varied hues for Kashi Vishwanath
Brass puja items dot a store
Brass puja items dot a store
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One of the unique modes of public transport in Varanasi!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample local food

Varanasi has a whole range of local food that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. So whether it is lassi with malai (cream) and fruit, a range of desserts (think Lal Peda, Banarasi Kalakand, Rabri) or chaat (Tikki , Dahi-Puri, Pani Puri and Tamatar Chaat), there is much to for the foodie in you. Try the famed Kachori & Subzi Kachori with Jalebi at Sri Ram Bhandar and you will come back for more. Other stuff like Varanasi ka Chai & Malai Toast, Litti-Chokha, Aloo Papad and Paan Banaras also need to be sampled.

Kachori with subzi is a favorite in Varanasi
Kachori with subzi is a favorite in Varanasi

There is so much to see here and so many memories from the city that you must visit to experience. Signing off with this image of the ghats – Varanasi will have an undeniable impact on you – go there.

 

Life on the ghats of Varanasi
Life on the ghats of Varanasi

This visit was made possible thanks to Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Lonely Planet who curated the entire experience to perfection.

6 Comments

  1. The art and culture of Varanasi are unique. As Varanasi is the famous for the soft stone which is not a hard marble but soft stone marble called Gorara. This stone is brought from the Hamirpur and Mahoba areas, Sonia and Kalimohal areas. This stone has a unique quality as it changes its colors on polishing. Also, Bowls and the servicing dishes are the popular products made of gorara stones.

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