It was Vibhuti Express on 25th March from Howrah to Varanasi. Much needed, much awaited, much anticipated - One of us was sick and we were not sure if we could make it. We did.
My two friends and I embarked on a soul-stirring journey to the mystical city of Varanasi. A city rich in history, culture, and spirituality, Varanasi beckoned us with promises of an unforgettable experience and we knew even if stepped into the city, we would feel blessed - I had devoured a dozen videos by the time I boarded my train and had my notes ready. With our bags packed and hearts filled with anticipation, we set out from Kolkata to explore the vibrant hues of this ancient city.
Upon arriving in Varanasi, we opted for an authentic home stay near Manduadih Police station, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the city's rich local flavor. We felt at home, immediately after we reached there. Our host was awesome, helpful, and served us great food. We had to pay extra for the food. It was not complimentary.
The home stay was roughly six kilo meters away from Varanasi station. The warmth of the hosts and the homely ambience made us feel not just, at home but secured and safe. We knew that we were in for an extraordinary stay and will be back soon. So I began giving my tips to the young entrepreneur how he can better the place. He had some of his beautiful paintings on the wall at reception. I asked him to frame it well, asked for extra mirror in our room. He agreed to fix one right away. I asked him to keep it ready for our next visit. He did and shared its photograph with us, after we had reached home.
Eager to begin our exploration, we hopped into an auto-rickshaw that took us to Gawdolia Chowk, the bustling heart of Varanasi. The city tour had officially commenced, and every nook and cranny seemed to tell a story of its own. The labyrinthine streets, adorned with colorful shops and ancient temples, enchanted us at every turn. I had to pick Banarasi dupatta at least. You get them in the range of INR 200 to 1500
After a brief but sumptuous lunch at the revered Anna Purna Mandir, we set out on the enchanting ghat walk. The ghats of Varanasi hold an ethereal charm that transcends time and space. As we walked along the sacred river Ganga, the historical significance and spiritual sanctity of the place left us in awe.
Our journey led us to the Manikarnika Ghat, a place that made us pause and reflect on the impermanence of life. The ritualistic cremations on the banks of the Ganga served as a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death, leaving us humbled by the divine mysteries that Varanasi holds.
As dusk approached, we made our way to the iconic Dashashwamedha Ghat to witness the grand spectacle of the Ganga Aarti. The rhythmic chants, the flickering oil lamps, and the devotion of the devotees created an ethereal ambiance that etched itself into our hearts forever.
When I returned home to Kolkata, we three went to feel the same vibe in our very own Kolkata Princep ghat - That story is for another day, soon!
Varanasi, however, had more delights in store for us. The next morning, we embarked on a serene boat tour along the river Ganga. The gentle lapping of the water against the boat, the golden hues of the rising sun, and the panoramic view of the ghats left us in a state of sheer tranquility.
Before bidding adieu to this enchanting city, we couldn't resist indulging in some retail therapy. We ventured into the bustling markets and found ourselves drawn to the allure of Banarasi Dupattas, a testament to the city's artistic finesse and cultural heritage. And I forgot to mention the tasty Malai we had the day we landed there.
With our bags filled with treasured memories and souvenirs, we left Varanasi with hearts brimming with gratitude and happiness. The city had gifted us an experience that was beyond words—a journey that had touched our souls and left an indelible mark on our beings.
Varanasi, with its enigmatic charm and spiritual allure, had offered us an opportunity to transcend the ordinary and connect with something profound and timeless. As we bid farewell to the city of light, we carried with us the essence of Varanasi—a magical blend of spirituality, serenity, and superlative joy.
And Varanasi, I promise to visit you every single year, with friends or solo because you had that impact on us, that we seek a part of you in our own cities too - the Arati!
I cannot end this without mentioning about the tea hawker who served us tea in the ghats and stood there for some time just to tell us where the dust bins were so that we dropped the cups there. How responsible was that!! As eco travelers ourselves, that really soared our spirits to rave about this place.
And something that bothered me was not seeing any life guards around. I have tweeted about this and hope to see some action, before my next visit.
The auto fare cost us between 150 to 200 to reach our Homestay. The shared auto was INR 25 or 30 per person but then, they insist for reserved auto rate even if there are others waiting to board.
However I want to remember the tea hawker's pride about his place and regard way above his business, instead of the auto drivers!!
Worth many more visits!! And the homestay was just home in another city!
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