It is 4:45 AM in a chilling January morning, before you can wish to remain in your bed for some more time, the Azan from a near mosque and ShivStuti from the next temple will remindiing you that you are in the holy city of Varanasi(originally Benaras). I jumped down on the station and the breeze from river Ganga welcomed me,I was feeling like a small kid out into a playground.
I was there with a very tight schedule but then time is a thing which you have to scoop out.
The first day was hectic like hell, from morning 5:30 am till 9:00 pm. All I remember is my bed.
Day two was little free and we know where to head to.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple and 84 Ghats
The temple is dedicated to the prime deity of Vanarasi – Vishwanath, an identity of Lord Shiva. It is also known as the Golden Temple for its 15.5 metre high spire coated with one ton of gold plating and which is standing gracefully in Varanasi. The temple was destroyed during various invasions and was rebuilt by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore in 1776. You can even offer 'puja' in the temple and there are holy saints in the temple premises to help you out. But it is always advisable to go for some authorized persons which your guide will help you to find out.At the temple gate you will have to go through a security checking and you are requested to co-operate with the guards. You will have to leave your mobile phone there. Any kind of baggage or food item is not admissible inside the temple premises and hence you are requested to leave them in your hotel or bus.
The temple is dedicated to the prime deity of Vanarasi – Vishwanath, an identity of Lord Shiva. It is also known as the Golden Temple for its 15.5 metre high spire coated with one ton of gold plating and which is standing gracefully in Varanasi. The temple was destroyed during various invasions and was rebuilt by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore in 1776. You can even offer 'puja' in the temple and there are holy saints in the temple premises to help you out. But it is always advisable to go for some authorized persons which your guide will help you to find out.At the temple gate you will have to go through a security checking and you are requested to co-operate with the guards. You will have to leave your mobile phone there. Any kind of baggage or food item is not admissible inside the temple premises and hence you are requested to leave them in your hotel or bus.
Next we headed to the Ghats. There are some 84 ghats in a line. You will find all kind of people there, Babas, Sadhus, Aghori Babas, Naga, Foreigners and many more with even more priorities. It was 5:30pm and thing were tuning up for the world famous “Ganga Aarti”. Wish we could had waited to witness this heavenly affair but then time didn’t allowed us.
Day three was almost free, and we dicided to hit Sarnath.
Sarnath
Come Sarnath and you will find yourself placed somewhere in Tibet or Korea. Sarnath situated at a distance of 8 km from Varanasi is one of the most important sites
of Buddhist circuits. It still holds the reminiscence of Lord Buddha which is savored by thousands of tourists every year coming from different parts of the world. As you take a walk in the ancient roads and lanes, you may have a spine chilling experience with the feeling that Lord might had walked on the same road some thousand years back. The Sarnath complex houses the remains of a Buddhist monastic settlement which are till now alive with the fragrance Buddhist divinity. Dharma Chakra Stupa is a must see place in Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining salvation. Though we were roaming there as stupid, the area was alive when the devotees fill the ambiance enchanting Sanskrit mantra.
Come Sarnath and you will find yourself placed somewhere in Tibet or Korea. Sarnath situated at a distance of 8 km from Varanasi is one of the most important sites
of Buddhist circuits. It still holds the reminiscence of Lord Buddha which is savored by thousands of tourists every year coming from different parts of the world. As you take a walk in the ancient roads and lanes, you may have a spine chilling experience with the feeling that Lord might had walked on the same road some thousand years back. The Sarnath complex houses the remains of a Buddhist monastic settlement which are till now alive with the fragrance Buddhist divinity. Dharma Chakra Stupa is a must see place in Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining salvation. Though we were roaming there as stupid, the area was alive when the devotees fill the ambiance enchanting Sanskrit mantra.
Once you are in Sarnath, do not miss to visit the museum which contains some exquisite 6th or 11th century Buddhist icons excavated from the site, which may just leave you bedazzled. Don't miss to have the experience. It in-house the famous “Ashoka Chakra” and “Char Singh” emblem in the central porch. If you a human , you cannot avoid admiring the brilliance of the sculptures. Every cut identical, every Curve identical.
Last day in the city we were in no mood to miss the best part of the city.
Banaras Hindu University
The University is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 12,000 students living on its campus. Established at the beginning of this century, Benaras Hindu University is famous for having an excellent Sanskrit school. The Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum inside the university campus is one of the best museums in India and deserves a close look from your side. The big statue of Krishna holding Govardhana Hill, dating from the fourth century is no doubt the prime attraction of the museum.
The University is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 12,000 students living on its campus. Established at the beginning of this century, Benaras Hindu University is famous for having an excellent Sanskrit school. The Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum inside the university campus is one of the best museums in India and deserves a close look from your side. The big statue of Krishna holding Govardhana Hill, dating from the fourth century is no doubt the prime attraction of the museum.
For all those who believe that the best of Indian beauties lives in Delhi or Chandigarh, come BHU and you will repent. You have to be here to see how a girl can look so damm beautiful even in a Indian attire. Not a single face to avoid. That whole evening, we kept roaming in the campus admiring natural beauties(of both sense) and left the city with many fond memories of the city and its people.
Read my other travel experiences like Dandeli Jungle Safari, Kundilika River-rafting, Bhimashankar Treking, Benaras:Journey Back into Ages,Konkan Railways
1 comment:
wow share some pics also
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