In March of this year, I finally made it to Banaras. Yes! I did it. The holy city I had been dreaming of visiting for many years. I kept planning, but life always seemed to get in the way. So yes! When I was finally there, it felt like a small win, a dream coming true.
This city has multiple names. Banaras, Varanasi, or Kashi, they say, is not any regular city you’ll visit. It’s alive in a way that’s hard to describe. The city is famous for its ghats, where people come to pray, bathe, and maybe find peace in between. It is also known for its temples, the smell of incense, and undoubtedly the best street food you can have, can vouch for that. Walking around, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a place where time moves very slowly
We booked a night train from Delhi and reached there early afternoon. On the first day, we didn’t rush, it was more of a rest day. We had lunch and took a rest. In the evening, we headed to the Ganga ghats. The river was calm. People were gathered everywhere, some taking a holy dip in the water, others sitting quietly, lost in their thoughts or prayers.
The best part was the boat ride. My friend, being a local of Kashi, took us on a boat ride on the Ganga. Sitting on the boat, floating slowly down the river, I could see the well-lit ghats from a completely new perspective. Felt like time had frozen.
By sunset, we were at the Ganga Aarti. The priests lit big lamps and moved them in rhythm while the prayers were chanted. We sat there for quite a long time soaking everything.
Watching the Ganga Aarti, I felt a deep sense of peace and awe. For me, Banaras isn’t just a place to visit it was a place I’ll carry in my heart forever
