Varanasi is a city with a unique blend of spirituality, culture, history, and culinary delights that can leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits this old city. Read this blog to understand what makes Varanasi or Banaras a unique city and why it could grab a special place in your heart.
Have you ever felt a city breathing and thriving? Have you felt any city racing against time yet soaked in peace and calm? If not, I urge you to visit one of the oldest living cities on the earth, Varanasi in India.
Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, is a city located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the river Ganges and is considered one of the holiest and oldest living city in the world.
Varanasi has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its ancient temples, ghats (steps leading down to the river), ashrams, and holy shrines. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most prominent temples in Varanasi and is visited by a large number of devotees every year.
The city is also known for its silk weaving industry, and Varanasi silk saris are renowned for their intricate designs and rich textures. No wonder why most women in India like to flaunt their Banarasi sarees! The city has a long history of learning, and the Banaras Hindu University, founded in 1916, is one of the largest residential universities in Asia.
Varanasi is a major tourist destination and attracts visitors from all over the world who come to experience its spiritual and cultural atmosphere. It is also an important center for yoga and meditation, and many people come here to study and practice these disciplines.
There is some magic spell that this city casts on us. No matter, how many words I use to describe Varanasi, I believe that I will never be able to do any justice to what it really is.
Why should you visit Varanasi?
There are several reasons why one should visit Varanasi. I’ve mentioned a few reasons below.
1. Spiritual and Cultural Significance: Varanasi is considered one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The city has a rich cultural and religious heritage, and visiting the numerous temples, ashrams, and holy shrines can be a spiritually enriching experience for most people. Since a lot of Indians from different states come to visit Varanasi, it would not be wrong to say that one could witness a diverse mini India in this beautiful city.
2. The Ghats: Varanasi is known for its ghats, which are steps leading down to the river Ganges. There are over 80 ghats in Varanasi, each with its own unique significance. This is one reason why Varanasi is also known as the “city of ghats”. The ghats are a popular spot for taking a dip in the holy river, performing rituals, and watching the sunrise and sunset.
3. History and Architecture: Varanasi has a rich history dating back to several centuries. The city is home to numerous ancient temples, palaces, and monuments, each with its own unique architecture and historical significance.
In the beautiful words of Mark Twain —
“Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend & looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
4. Food: Varanasi is known for its delicious street food, such as chaat, lassi, kachori, and samosa. The city is also famous for its paan, a traditional Indian mouth sweetener or freshener made from betel leaves.
5. Silk Weaving: This beautiful city is known for its silk weaving industry, and Varanasi silk saris are renowned for their intricate designs and rich textures. Visitors can visit the local weaving centers to see how these beautiful saris are made.
6. Yoga and Meditation: Varanasi is an important center for yoga and meditation. Visitors can attend yoga classes, meditation retreats, and spiritual talks to learn more about these disciplines and enhance their well-being. The spiritual atmosphere in Varanasi makes it more conducive to enjoy various yogic practices.
7. Self Reflection and Peace: This beautiful city offers people ample moments of peace and self reflection. Even though the city is full of chaos, the kind of peace you feel in Varanasi is matched to no other city. One can witness the entire circle of life in this city — birth, death and everything in between which includes celebrations like marriages, happiness, food joints and travelling, old age, sorrow, loneliness, chaos, peace and everything that you can possibly imagine.
A poetic reflection on Varanasi
In Varanasi, where the Ganges flows
Lies a city with stories untold,
A place of faith and ancient lore
Of temples, ghats, and so much more
The ghats are where life meets the river
Where pilgrims come to take a dip,
Where lamps are lit, and prayers delivered
And where the soul finds its inner grip
Varanasi is a city that’s alive
With history, culture, and spirituality,
A place where hearts and souls thrive
A destination of endless vitality
Varanasi, the city of ghats
Where every breath is a prayer,
A place where darkness turns to light
A land of faith, a place so rare.
Lessons that the city of Varanasi teaches us
There are several lessons that one can learn from Varanasi. I’ve mentioned a few of them below.
1. Embracing Diversity: Varanasi is a city that celebrates diversity in its many forms. The city is home to people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, who live together in harmony. Visitors to Varanasi can learn to embrace diversity and appreciate the richness that it brings to life.
2. Importance of Faith: This city is deeply rooted in spirituality and faith. It is home to numerous temples, ashrams, and holy shrines, which are a testament to the importance of faith in people’s lives. Visitors can learn to appreciate the role that faith plays in our lives and the power it has to uplift and inspire us.
3. Living in Harmony with Nature: Varanasi is situated on the banks of the Ganges, a river that is revered as a mother and giver of life. The city’s residents have learned to live in harmony with nature, respecting the river and its ecosystem. Visitors can learn from the city’s relationship with nature and strive to live in harmony with the natural world.
4. Value of Tradition: Varanasi is a city that is steeped in tradition, with a rich cultural heritage that dates back several centuries. One can naturally observe that the city’s residents have learned to value and preserve their traditions, passing them down from generation to generation. Visitors can learn from the city’s appreciation of tradition and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
No matter what beliefs you hold or religion you practice, come with a pure heart to Varanasi and you will surely take back with you lots of reflections (often critical ones) about life. Of course, come with a non-judgemental and an open heart, and soak in the experience that you may cherish for life.
