The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi.

Tripoto
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 1/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Ganga Aarthi being performed by priests at Dashshwamedh ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 2/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
A priest holds the Aarthi while performing the Ganga Aarthi ceremony at Dashshwamedh ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 3/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Another view of the Ganga Aarthi ceremony at Dashshwamedh ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 4/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Ganga Aarthi ceremony at Dashshwamedh ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 5/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Children playing ghat cricket at Brahma ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 6/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Early morning view of the sun rise and the holy Ganges from Brahma ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 7/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Early morning view of the different ghats of Banaras as seen from Brahma ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 8/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Leaning temple near Manikarnika ghat...Karvatt mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 9/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Met couple of Aghori babas- Lothanath Ji and Krishnadas Ji...Joyful chaps.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 10/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Painting of aghoris and Lord Shiva..created by a young artist near Manikarnika ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 11/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Aghori baba in his tent near Manikarnika ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 12/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
A young artist painting from inside his make shift shelter near Manikarnika ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 13/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Path to the cremation grounds in Manikarnika ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 14/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
A building near the Scindia ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 15/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
With new found friends of Kashi.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 16/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Dandapani Kalabhairav deity.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 17/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
An Aghori baba near Kalabhairav temple.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 18/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
A priest perfoming Sunday Ganga Aarthi at a small temple near Durga Ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 19/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
One of the aarthis used for Ganga Aarthi.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 20/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Children are the most beautiful things on earth...if u can bring a smile to their faces (even by a small thing as clicking their photo when they ask 'Bhaiya hamara bhi photo lo na') its totally worth it.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 21/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Lord Shiva temple at Manikarnika ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 22/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
A sadhu baba at Lalita ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 23/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Pan wale bhaiyya at Brahma ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 24/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Few swans enjoying the peaceful water of the Ganges.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 25/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
Evening view of the ghats as seen from Brahma ghat.
Photo of The oldest inhabited city of the world- Varanasi a.k.a Banaras and Kashi. 26/26 by Navaneeth Govind Baliga
One of the gullys of Kashi.
Video of Ganga Aarthi being performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

For me Kashi is much more than a place, its a magical feeling, a plethora of emotions that makes this ancient city so unique and charming that it makes you fall head over heels in love with it and you always feel like coming back here. This legendary place, a creation of Lord Shiva, is the holiest of the seven sacred cities(sapta puri) of Hinduism and also holds much importance to the Jains and Buddhists.

I arrived in Kashi after riding my motorcycle all the way from Kochi and I had planned my ride in such a way that I get to spend at least 3 days to explore this magnificent place. After getting here, I found that the people of Banaras are really friendly and helpful and they always make you feel right at home. I befriended a local guy, Sonu Yadav, who stayed by my side and went out of his way to show me the amazing hospitality of Kashi locals.

Kashi is famous for its many ghats situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges. You have Brahma ghat, Panchaganga ghat, Scindia ghat, Lalita ghat, Manikarnika ghat, Dashashwamedh ghat, Tulsi ghat, Assi ghat and many more(total 88 ghats). Of these, Dashashwamedh ghat and Manikarnika ghat are the most famous. Taking a boat ride to see the different ghats is a 'must do' at Kashi.

You can visit the Dashshwamedh ghat during evenings (around 7 PM) to watch the spectacular Ganga Aarti ceremony being performed by many priests who conduct the ritual while completely being in sync with each others movements. This is a must see ceremony at Kashi and its truly magical. Nearby, you have the Manikarnika ghat which is the place where Hindus cremate their dead. You can watch the bodies being burnt but photography is prohibited as it may offend the people. Hindus believe that getting cremated in Kashi will help you attain Moksha or Salvation.

For the spiritual a dip in the holy Ganges is a must as it is believed to wash off your sins. You can then visit the temples located in Kashi, the famous ones being- Shri Kashi Vishwanath mandir(one of the 12 Jyotirlingas), Baba Kalabhairav mandir, Dandapani Kalabhairav mandir, Karvatt mandir(leaning temple), Sankat Mochan Hanuman mandir etc. You can also pay a visit to the famous Banaras Hindu university(BHU) located near the Sankat Mochan Hanuman mandir.

You also get to meet different ascetics or babas or yogis who spend their lives on the ghats meditating, imparting knowledge, conducting different rituals etc. Of these the famous ones are the Aghoris and in Varanasi you get to see many of them on the ghats inside their makeshift tents. Most of them are friendly and you can end up having good conversations with them.

Banaras is also famous for shopping, here you get to buy dress materials made from the famous Banarasi silk. You can also take a stroll through the many gullys or lanes where you get to see different shops selling paan, sweets, temple offerings, tandoori chai, food etc. The busy streets are lively and a treat to revel in.

I thoroughly enjoyed my brief stay at Kashi. Sitting on the ghats and taking stock of the different activities taking place around me was my most favourite thing to do here. It is just so peaceful and the energy you get to experience from this place is truly magical. And the love of the locals has left me speechless. Kashi, I’ll be back soon. :)

Getting to Kashi:- Varanasi is well connected by road, air and rail. The place has got its own airport and few railway stations. By road, Kashi is located about 305 kms from the state capital Lucknow, about 121 kms from Prayagraj and about 261 kms from Gaya in Bihar.