About Varanasi – Most of the oldest cities are located in Middle East Asia but Varanasi is also one of the oldest and most popular cities in the world which history is around 5000 years. Varanasi is one of the world’s most continually inhabited cities according to Kenneth Fletcher. According to Mark Twain (English Author and Literature) “Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. The Hindu myth say, Varanasi is founded by the lord Shiva and this city is regarded as one of the holy city which can provide Moksha (Liberation); Along with Varanasi these are the another city – Ayodhya, Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika, and Dvaravati where people can get moksha. Varanasi is also known by other names like Kashi (5000 years old name) which is the oldest name of this city as well as another name of lord Shiva and Banaras (Named by Britishers to pronounce easily). Many people also say, Varanasi is the city of temples where you can find a lot of temples everywhere in this city. Varanasi is located on the bank of Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh, India which is around 800 Km far from Delhi and its population is around 1.5 million according to consensus of India 2016. In the past when roads and the train were not connected with this city, people were coming to Varanasi by boat from another city but now this city is well connected by train and air both from all of the major cities in India.
Personal Experience – Personally, I love this city despite overcrowded, security issues, and dirty. First time I travelled to this city with my parents and I was very surprised to see how diverse the city is. Still I travel to Varanasi from time to time and every time have breath-taking experience. I never forget such strong feelings which I have while boating in the Ganga river, to visit Ghats (bank of the river), beggars, Hindu monks, crematorium, and pilgrims from all over India. Many Hindu and Buddhist people come from all over India and from other countries for worship, cremation, and travel. Many Hindu people have dreams to live and die in this city because people believe that if they will die in this city then they will go to heaven either will get Moksha (liberation). Moksha is the philosophy in Hinduism and according to this when anybody gets it then they will liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth. To be born and die on this earth is a difficult process. Hindu believe that people are reborn after death according to Karma but after getting Moksha they will not be reborn again and excuse from birth and die. Hindu rituals, cleansing, and cremation take place in full view on the bank of Ganga river. When you see the direction of Ganga river especially in Varanasi, the direction is from south – north but usually the river comes from the north and flow to the south and later change the direction to the east so people think that way to the heaven is in north direction and that’s the main reason why Hindu people wait for die and cremation as well in this city. This city is the main center of Hinduism and Buddhism, Indian literature, traditional and classic music, traditional dance, yoga, ashrams, philosophy, spiritualism, and mysticism etc. from the ancient time. Many great people – Ustad Bismilla Khan (Shahnai Player), Birju Maharaj (Kathak Guru), Ravi Shankar (Sitar Player), Premchand, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Tulsidas and Kabirdas (Hindi Literature), Madan Mohan Malviya and Lal Bahadur Shastri (Indian Politics) belonged from this great city. The city is also famous for art, education, music, silk weaving, and crafts.
The main and oldest part of the city is located near by the bank of Ganga river and the main city especially nearby Ganga river, Godolia, and the Varanasi Cantonment railway station is very crowded because lot of locals, pilgrims, tourists, auto rickshaw, rickshaw, and other types of vehicle. When you go there you can find a lot of streets and once you enter, it’s not easy to come out if you don’t know the way. This area is spread into 6-7 Km and it is interesting because of streets, foods, and interesting people. There is a very interesting story about how the main city has been developed. From the beginning the city is very famous for different types of rituals, to wait for death, Ganga river, cremation, and other religious works so everybody wanted to live in this city especially nearby Ganga river and many people came from different parts of India and that was the main reason why the main city has been very crowded and many streets has been created naturally. Kachauri and Khoa Gali (street) is the most interesting area in this city. You can also find a drink and sweets which are made by Bhang and it’s similar to marijuana. Many people used to eat and drink it because they were intoxicated. Hindu people think that this is the blessed food of lord Shiva because this is consumed by Shiva itself. If you want to enjoy foods and different types of drink such as Lassi (Mix of Yogurt and Sugar mainly) and Thandai (Mainly mix of milk, saffron, and almond) personally I will recommend this city because this is the main from this city. It is also a good idea to eat local street foods which are cheaper and very tasty, but it can be harmful for foreigners but Lassi and local tea is not harmful for foreigners. I used to eat sweets and other Indian foods which are very tasty and I never forget the taste of local foods, snacks, and tea which are served in clay cups called Kulhar in the local language.
If I talk about the places of interest in Varanasi, there are many things to visit. Many famous and beautiful temples you can see here such as Kashi Vishwanath temple, which is covered by 900 kilograms’ pure gold, Bharat Mata Mandir (temple), Durga temple dedicated to the goddess Durga who protects this city (mainly known as monkey temple because many monkeys live here). Other interesting place is Sarnath where Buddha came and give first preached his sermon in the deer park which is marked by 42 meters’ height stupa. Aarti puja (worship of lord Shiva and Ganga river) which take place at Dasaswamedh Ghat also one of the main events in this city which is held after sunset in every evening. The worship is like a festival style which attracts crowds so it’s very interesting and gives a wonderful experience.
Varanasi is not so expensive, and everything is cheaper including food and staying in the hotels. All types of hotels are available here. It’s always better to stay in the guest house which is easily available on the riverbank. There are many other good hotels in this city, but the experience is very different when you stay nearby Ganga river. According to my experience this city is not so safe for girls who are travelling for the first time to the city. Whenever you travel to this city it’s very important to take care of your things otherwise you can be lost.