When Kashi Called Us

                                                      When Kashi Called us.

Frankly speaking, I am not the Teertha yatra types Guy. Nothing against it as such.

Just that, my Interests lay somewhere else.

So I myself was surprised, when we started planning a Trip to Kashi.It all happened by chance. We were supposed to go on a Vacation to some other place. That didn't happen due to some reason-then the word ‘Kashi’ popped up, and Lo, we were chalking out details for a Trip to Kashi.

The day we arrived in Kashi, I casually mentioned it to our Guide( Tip: Pre-Book the Guide) that we didn't plan this trip as such. He Replied back “ Only if Mahadev calls you, you can come to Kashi”.

Day One:

We arrived in Varanasi late afternoon. Weather was pleasant ( Tip: Period between Mid Feb to Mid March is most suitable for Mangloreans. Neither too cold nor too hot). In the evening , attended the Famous Ganga aarthi at the Dashaashwamedha Ghat( Supposed to be the Place, where King Dasharath conducted ten Ashwamedha Yatras). Two ways to do it. Arrive a hour before and try to get a seat as close as possible. Second way is get a boat-go for a small ride and then go as close as possible to the Aarthi Area.(Tip: Go as early as possible, if you want a closer view).The Aarthi itself will not disappoint you. People will sell small diyas- which you can lit and float it in the Ganga. Enchanting.

Day Two:

Wake up Early (430am) for the Sulab Darshan of Lord Vishwanath. Buy the ‘Special ticket’, which will reduce the queue but the Darshan time is same for all ( 5 second Max !!!)

The newly made corridor is something, you can only experience.

Though enough words have been written on it, experiencing it personally will blow those words away. Just imagining the work that went behind it , to create it, is mind boggling.

Then we did ,what the Local boys of Kashi do on every Shivaratri.

The ‘Panchakrosi Yatra”

As you may all know, Kashi itself has been designed as a yantra. You can experience it,in many ways. One of the easiest ways is to do one of the five Yatras.

Panchakrosi being the most popular and fairly documented over the Centuries. Legend says Both the Pandavas as well as Sriramachandra did this Yatra. Its usually done by foot. We did it by a Vehicle.

Its a 84 KM long Yatra, having stops at 4 different temple. You start at the Manikarnika Ghat ( where Bodies are Burnt 2 hours a day) with a ‘Sankalpa’ and end up there again after the completion.One of the best things about the Yatra wold be seeing the rural Uttarpradesh. Just 15 kms from Manikarnika Ghat and you enter the Rural UP. No Traffic, Kilometres of Agricultural Fields etc.

Since Not many know about this Yatra, its worth doing it, after reading about it online.

Day Three:

We went to the Famous Benares Hindu University- One of the Biggest Universities in Asia. Its a massive campus housing the ‘New’ Vishwanath Temple. Whats this ‘New’? Well, BHU was founded by Madan Mohan Malaviya and it was he ,who built the Kashi Vishwanath Temple modeled on the Older temple. Its Bigger though.

Went next to Saranath( only a few kms from Kashi), which houses lots of Buddhist monuments. Gautama Buddha himself gave his first sermon here. Why would he come here for his First speech? Because Kashi was always known for its spiritual poweress. So, if you want to spread your word on such a Topic, Saranath would be the Ideal place. A Place ,lots of Spiritually Inclined people gathered for variuos Talks and debates.

Since we had Time left in the day- went for my Favorite Pastime- Saree Shopping. . Specifically Benares Saree Shopping.

My rule for Saree Shopping .

1.Set your budget first and then shop. Not the other way around.

2. Taking advice from a local helps. ( Your Guide is a good one to talk to)

Ended up buying more sarees than Intended ( usual trap, I fall Into, every time)

Day Four:

Arrived at the Ghats Early morning for a Bath in the Holy Ganga. ( Tip: Come at the Ghats just before Sunrise, take a Boat, go for a small ride, then go across the Ghats to the river Bank there. Its less crowded, water more cleaner and you will have a pleasant experience). There are enclosures, where women could change too. Water itself is clean. You can see patrol boats monitoring the river. People who visited Kashi few years back can defenetly notice the Vast Change in River Ganga.

After all, How can you come back from Kashi, without having a Dip in the Ganga?

In the evening, we attended the ‘Saptharishi Pooja”. You got to book the tickets for this in advance. Its for limited number of people only.

Background of this pooja: Its said that, when Shiva finished teaching his disciples and asked them to go across the world,to spread the word ( The saptharishis), they asked for a method to invoke him everyday. Thats how this “Saptharishi pooja “ began. They say- the method of the Pooja is unchanged since thousands of years. Seven priests representing the “Saptharishis” conduct the pooja. As the Pooja progresses, you can feel the Energy Buildup happening around the Linga. At the end of the pooja- you get to Touch the Linga too( a Bit of pushing around happens, but you cannot stop a Manglorean in these matters, isn't it?)

Dont Miss this pooja.

Ghats:

There are 84 Ghats. Each one having their own history. Each one Built by some king/Queen over the years. You see Ghats built by the scindias,Ahilya Bai( The Widow queen who built the present Kashi Vishwanath Temple) to the Nepali King, from the Jains to the Sikhs, only reinforcing my thought that Jainism or Sikhism are not different religions ,but simply different ‘Sampradayas’ under the larger ‘Sanatana’ Umbrella.

It will take a month to just scratch the historical surface of the Ghats. Thats how Vast it is.

Food:

Kashi is a Paradise for the vegetarians.The Chaats are to die for. Try the famous ‘Tamatar Chaat’ along with your Favorite Chaats. Chaat shops are there in every street . Famous ones being located in “Lanka” near BHU.

Dont miss drinking the Thick “Malai Lassi” to top it up in the end .

For breakfasts- try the stuffed Puri with Hot piping Jalebis.

For the Elderly:

Since the Corridor, Pilgrims have increased vastly, due to which lots of traffic restrictions are in place for easier flow of pilgrims on Foot. Vehicles are not allowed at least 1.5 Kms from the Vishwanath Temple. Plan in advance accordingly. Talk to tour operators as to how to make your movements as easy as possible. Wheelchairs etc are available for booking.

It may be a bit Troublesome, but dont let that stop you for the Visit to Kashi.

Extra Tips:

Wear traditional dresses only. Both you and the locals will feel comfortable.

Carry a big bundle of Rs 50/100/-. Lot of people will be asking for Dakshina. Its up to you, how much you give.

Be mentally prepared for the choke-o-block Traffic. Tourists inflow has increased 3 times since the corridor happened.

Tip generously to the Driver and the Guide. They are your best friends in town ,at that time.

One lifetime wont be enough to know and Understand Kashi.

So, our 3 day trip just about gave us a Glimpse. A glimpse that made us Thirst for more.

And Remember, Mahadev has to Call you.Only then, you can Visit Kashi.

May Mahadev beckon you to Visit Him.