It’s tacky and filthy. It’s older than the oldest. It’s proclivity towards religion will take you into trance. You may ignore it but cannot hate it. It’s Varanasi. The land of Ganga, the land of Moksha, the land of Aghoris, the land of Myths, the land where every religion blends with the other, the land of legends like Kabir, Tulsidas and Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan.
I went on a whim and returned mesmerized. It all started a week before Diwali. I wanted to be alone this Diwali but not in my own city. And boy, my fingers were already dancing on the keyboard searching for destinations for a short and quick vacation.
Post lunch– My message read – “Where to stay in Varanasi? Shoestring budget.” He replied in a snap – “Zostel”
Without any second thoughts, I booked myself for 3 nights at Zostel. Thank God! I was finally escaping “somewhere” during this last extended weekend of the year.
Evening 7:00 PM– Dad called- “Why don’t you come over for Diwali? You got 4 days holiday.” I very well knew my reply would make mom jump out of her seat and pounce on the phone (I am always on speaker phone during the ritual calls from dad). Mom- “Kashi? Alone? Why on earth did you decide to go to Kashi? That too alone. It is definitely not the safest place to roam around on your own.”
I decided not to argue with mom on this topic. It has always been a never ending argument when it comes to my travel and treks. I simply agreed to her condition to call and update her about my whereabouts while I was there.
Little did I know that by the end of the holiday, I would come back with smiling memories stacked in my backpack and richer by couple of more friends.
The most beautiful aspect about the city, it is ever changing yet it is ever constant. Every time you see her, you look she is beautiful and enigmatic as she was a decade before.
I am so glad you like Kashi. It is so dirty it can put off even the well meaning. But if you go with a different mindset, you are likely to love the city.
Kashi is definitely very dirty Abhijit Ji. And…I would never take a dip in Ganga after the sights I had of her in Kashi. That I am 200% sure of. It’s the aura and ethos of the place I liked.
looking forward for lot of amazing pics .. Congrats on your first Solo trip ..
Way to go traveller
Yay! Pics coming soon. I have kept the best for the last 😀
The most beautiful aspect about the city, it is ever changing yet it is ever constant. Every time you see her, you look she is beautiful and enigmatic as she was a decade before.
That’s very true and you cannot be satisfied by being there just once. The city is magnetic with old world charm. 🙂
Photos DP !!!!
Yes champ! Photos are coming up. I am saving the best for last 😉
if you took the picture and even if you altered it–great job, excellent effect.
The picture has been clicked and processed by me. Thank you 🙂
A solo trip to kashi! Now that’s daring! Proluge seemed super interesting, awaiting the entire piece!
And kudos!!
😉 Thanks Akash. It’s a delight to be there. Every photographer must go there atleast for once.
That’s nice, All the way to Kashi during Diwali on a solo trip! 🙂
Yes. I and my whims….. 😉
I went to Banaras last year this time 🙂 and I look forward to your post 🙂 Banaras is very safe Dipanwita!
Hey Shweta! Banaras is indeed very safe. It’s just our parents who go panicky and we can’t help it. 🙂
More pics. More pics. More pics.!!
Coming up babe! 😀
Bring it on!! Waiting for your posts!!
🙂
I am so glad you like Kashi. It is so dirty it can put off even the well meaning. But if you go with a different mindset, you are likely to love the city.
Kashi is definitely very dirty Abhijit Ji. And…I would never take a dip in Ganga after the sights I had of her in Kashi. That I am 200% sure of. It’s the aura and ethos of the place I liked.