The
A couple on their quest to explore
Reality of life right here staring in the face at Manikarna ghat
Last year Feb 2021 was the first time that I visited Varanasi for the first time. It had been on my bucket list for years but was not happening among my work, climbing and other holidays. It was a teaser in 2021 and this year Feb 2022 I was more than keen to head out before travel was banned again. So, by far it has become one of my favourite places to keep exploring. Travelled solo to seek the spiritual experience.
After boarding the first flight from Delhi, I was witness to the early morning activities as I stayed at the ghats, namely the Daswamedh ghat. The chaos, madness and colour were like stepping back in time. It can be pretty overwhelming for the first time visitor but if you go with the flow, you will be transported to India’s oldest city Benares along the famous river Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. What I had read was far less than what I found out later. Varanasi is the oldest of the seven Hindu cities where Hindus go and pray, wash away their sins and honour the departed on the bank of the Ganges. Dying and leaving your soul here is seen as auspicious as it is supposed to end the cycle of rebirth.
Brahm mahurat
Early morn at dawn 0400 am . View from my window at the ghat.
Staying at ghats gives you a ethereal experience.
Staying at ghats gives you a ethereal experience.
While it was crowdy and dusty, it was also alive with the energy of life going by. From the ringing of early morning aartis to women sitting in the steps preparing food, the galis of Varanasi are worth seeing. There was a temple in each home and people welcome you with open arms. The real test is when you see the bodies being cremated and it hits the core of your soul about the cycle of life. The pyres are burning 24 hours a day. I sat in the boat looking at the sight and was choked with emotion .
The shops are plentiful with food stalls, clothes, banarasi paan and bhang as are the various temples worth a visit. Banarasi sarees are a must buy if you can find the real weavers.
Kashi Viswanath leaves you spellbound as flocks of devotees at every hour of the day throng the temple along with Kaal Bhairav and Shakti Peeth.
The ghats of Varanasi is what took my breath away starting with Dashashwamedh Ghat where the mighty Agni pooja ceremony takes place and the splendour of Evening Arti.
The manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats are where the hindus creamate their dead and the burning pyres go on 24 hours a day.
AARTI
Hi there! We're Amanda and Shawn. We've been traveling around the world together for over a decade, exploring unique destinations, cultures and adventures.
Our Latest Adventures
01
02
03
04
Latest Travel Tips
01
02
How it all began
Amanda
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusmpor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex easint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia mollit natoque consequat massa quis enim.
Donec pede justo, fringilla vitae, eleifend acer sem neque sed Lorem Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusmpor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ipsum. Nam quam nunc, blandit vel, ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium consectetuer Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusm por incididunt ut labore
Our travel philosophy
Lorem Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusm por incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ipsum. Nam quam nunc, blandit vel, ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium consectetuer luculvinar, ids lorem. Maecenas nec odio et ante tincidunt tempus. Donec vitae sapien ut libero venenatis tincidunt. Duis leo. Sed fringilla mauris sit amet nibh. labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ipsumam quam nunc blandit vel.
Shawn
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusmpor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex easint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia mollit natoque consequat massa quis enim.
Donec pede justo, fringilla vitae, eleifend acer sem neque sed Lorem Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusmpor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ipsum. Nam quam nunc, blandit vel, ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium consectetuer Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusm por incididunt ut labore
Lorem Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipiscing elit,sed do eiusm por incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ipsum. Nam quam nunc, blandit vel, ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium consectetuer luculvinar, ids lorem. Maecenas nec odio et ante tincidunt tempus. Donec vitae sapien ut libero venenatis tincidunt. Duis leo. Sed fringilla mauris sit amet nibh. labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ipsumam quam nunc blandit vel.