Varanasi Vignettes
Last week, I attended a glitzy Travel Writers’ Conclave in Lucknow powered by a resurgent Uttar Pradesh Tourism. This was preceded by a visit to one of three nodal cities that comprise the newly-introduced Heritage Arc. In what appears to be an earnest bid to swell tourist footfalls to the state, the powers-that-be in the governing dispensation conjured up this concept to better the weather-beaten Golden Triangle. So shared a greatly chuffed Chief Minister during his inaugural address at the conclave. Translating the boss’ excitement into real-time tangibles falls now to the Tourism Promotion Board as well as the current Director-General Tourism, an uncharacteristically creative bureaucrat credited with mooting the idea itself. Regardless of good intentions, they clearly have their jobs cut out for them.
Be that as it may, having already made my near-annual excursion to Agra, and having only recently concluded an assignment on Lucknow and around, I veered towards a never-seen Varanasi as my choice of destination. Now, anyone who knows the place will tell you two days are but an amuse bouche. A wholesome repast would mandate countless servings of her psychedelic sights, antiquated customs, soulful food, and heady sounds. Meanwhile, here she is, quite possibly one of oldest, continually inhabited cities of the world. In pictures.
Priests walk down to the Ganga’s edge to complete a ritual during the morning prayers.
Yawning boats await custom for a ride along the animating ghats.
Because cleaning (at) the ghats is a must.
Water-borne hearses at the ready.
The Alamgir mosque sits cheek-by-jowl with temples, residences, and guesthouses.
Vermillion brightens early morning drabness at the riverbank.
The mud at these omnipresent wrestling akharas is infused with therapeutic herbs.
Sardarji Papad Wale in Kachori Gali – serving Varanasi since 1961.
Blue Lassi has been churning out fresh, creamy, fruit-laced lassi for nearly a century!
Inner city High Street.
Satvik slurp in sanitised surrounds.
Dhamek Stupa at antediluvian Sarnath.
Sarnath Serenity – the carvings on the stone surface hark back to the Gupta period.
Quintessential Varanasi street food – kachori and sabzi.
He demanded I take a picture. I obliged – he was pulling my weight, after all.
The squeaky clean and airy verandah at Granny’s Inn.
Power looms on their way to elbowing out traditional weavers. Where’s the electricity though?
Handwoven sarees – reason Kashi became Benaras, say some.
Shiva pervades all. From fun foods to funereal moods.
Awaiting Ganga Arti at Dasaswamedh Ghat.
Excellent pictures with pithy headings…I like the one about cleanliness the most…Permit me to share a reference on my website. And btw, what is the name of the ‘squeaky clean’ restaurant?
Thanks Chat. By all means, do share.
That’s the restaurant at The Gateway Hotel Ganges.
How come the photos I take are never as good as your’s?
Haha…thanks!
Wonderful and real nice way to present.
Thank you, Ajai.
Wonderful indeed – a great pictorial article.
Thank you Prateek.
SUPER! Simply spectacular- I really enjoyed this piece and have to compliment you on the eye behind the lens! have been toying with the idea of Varanasi for a while….looks like you just made up my mind for me!
Thank you Aradhika! I’m happy I could do that – my job here is quite done 😉
The eternal city…. I must say… and you show some aspects for the first time to us
Thanks Prasad. I try 🙂