MISS LEADING TOUR GUIDE
VARANASI
Varanasi, also known as Benares while under the British rule is located in the heart of the Ganges river and considered as the holiest and oldest city in India. The Ganges river runs from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal and is considered the worlds most polluted river with zero occurrence of a cholera or typhoid outbreaks ever reported. What makes this body of water so fascinating? For over 3000 years, people from all over the world come here to bath to purify their souls. However mundane as this may sound, Varanasi is also referred to as the city of death, death being a way of life. Despite being the most holiest city in the world, people from all around the globe also travel to this city to have their loved one cremated and lay their ashes to rest in the river. Cremation is done using the eternal fire which is guarded at all times and believed to have been burning for 3000 years.
We arrived in Varanasi in late February when it was hot and humid. We arrived via train from Agra and already had a pick up scheduled and was driven to our hotel. Our hotel was quite far from the old town in Varanasi and took approximately one hour to travel there by car. We booked late and so if you are able to, get a place near the Old Town.
The first day was spent zig zagging our way through the alleyways of the small town. These alleyways are very narrow, almost requiring you to walk in a single file that is lined with apartments and local stores. You will come across the occasional stray dogs and cats and maybe even some cows. One of the main attractions to see in Varanasi are the Ghats, which are the flight of stairs leading down to a body of water, in this case, the Ganges River. To get to the main Ghats, you will have to walk for 10 mins, since no autos or rickshaws are allowed near the Ghats. It’s a very very busy place and can be quite overwhelming at the beginning.
The main street leading up to the Ghat has many restaurants and it would be a shame not to try any of them. We ate at a canteen style restaurant with the locals that was recommended by our guide. The street is also lined with shops selling colourful Benaras sarees. Benarasi sarees are known as some of the finest sarees in India made from fine silk and known for the gold and silver brocade. Saree shopping is truly an experience that shouldn’t be missed. Slip into a saree store and have a seat on the tufted stool while the sales person shows you their most favourite sarees, ranging from different colours and prices which may leave you overwhelmed, but it’s truly an adventure not to miss.
Our evening was free to do anything, so we took an evening tour of the Ganges from a boat where you can see the Arti being held. An Arti is a prayerful ceremony of light performed several times a day. We watched the Arti from the river and later sat on the steps amongst the locals to see the ceremony. It was busy, packed with families and friends and an entertaining show of fire.
