Varanasi Ghats- World of Fantasy

If you have’nt seen the India ,you have,nt seen the world ,if you have,nt seen the Varanasi, you have,nt seen the India and if you have,nt seen the Ghats of Varanasi then you have,nt seen the Varanasi. Because it is the show window of world of fantasy and window of most ancient living city. WALKING AROUND THE GHAT ,

spirit and pulse of the Ghat. You may also take a boat ride to have panoramic view of these Ghats. It is something like you are moving a Kaleidoscope in your hand and scenario is changing, every minute, from one Ghat to another. Look below towards river, look above and watch the unique architectures of the buildings, temples, some having palatial look, each have its own history and mythology related with it.These Ghats were built and inhabited by various dynasties and monasteries and rich men’s, in due course of time span.

Ghat,s of Varanasi have different meaning for different group of people’s . FOR LOCAL PEOPLE –These Ghats are their life line. Their daily routine starts by taking dip in the holy river Ganga. In facts their life begins at this place and their last eternal rites are also performed at this place, whether Child birth, marriage or any other celebrations, they come here every time .

FOR TOURISTS OF INDIA AND PILIGRIMS-It’s a place to take holy dip in the river Ganga, to absolve all their sins, then enjoy its ambiance and boat ride on the river. FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS-My suggestion to them is, that if you really want to enjoy these Ghats, please give some rest to your brain .Don’t criticize, analyze or compare, just be an onlooker and try to feel the spirit and changing mood at different Ghats and have glimpse of world’s most ancient surviving city. You will not find so much of differences and contrast at any one place of the world .It may be a kind of assault to your senses, but ultimately you’ll love it. SCENERIO AT THE GHATS Look below ,peoples taking bath ,some taking dive into the river ,peoples and priests ,performing rituals, offering ,water, milks, flowers to Maa Ganga (mother Gange) ,as they call it. Peoples sitting below bamboo strip made canopies, changing clothes, putting tilak on their forehead, taking blessings from priests, some chanting Har Har Gange, Jai Ma Gange. Walking along the Ghats, you may encounter masseurs, Sadhu’s, beggars, flower and spiritual article sellers, child flying kites, peoples washing clothes at some Ghats .

At Harish Chandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghats ,you may find, fumes rising from the pyres of burning dead bodies, their mourning relations (It is believed that those die in Varanasi and if their bodies are burned at these Ghats, will get Moksh (free from the tangle of life and death and will go to eternal heaven).A word of caution for these Ghats ,that keep silence and don’t do any kind of photography here. You may also encounter some wandering cows, pooing and peeing at places, but local people don’t mind it, because cow is supposed to be a sacred animal by Hindus. May be some guy urinating at some place. These are some of the down points but the administration has recently become aware about it and is going to take action ,to make these Ghats cleaner and free from animals. BEST TIME TO VISIT is early morning between 5 to 8 AM and in the evening between 5 to 7 PM, when you will watch a very unique and mind blowing event, GANGA ARTI .At this time many priest will pray to mother Ganga ,by offering multitier lamp ,incense ,flower water and fumes ,chanting Mantras with sounds of gong s ,which will end by blowing of Conch . BEST MONTHS to visit are from October to April- Avoid rainy season of July and Agust, because then Ghats are submerged under rain waters . To end with I can say that the experiences on the Banaras Ghats is very unique, second to none, spiritual, magical and unforgettable. (Note- this my old review before writtn 6 yrs back ,before the construction of Viswanath-Dham corridor .)
sctri48 Satish Tripathi sctri48@gmail.com