Varanasi, Kashi, Banaras...

13th day on our GQ RoadTrip: 27-Jun-2011

When we touched Banaras, It was pouring, Chhavi was driving and I was looking for a place to stay  from Lonely Planet. We discussed about couple of recommended places,  and zeroed down to one near Assi Ghat..it was  Palace on Ganges.

We were slightly confused about which exit to take from Highway to enter Banaras, and one we took us some interiors roads and lanes, but we were warmly welcomed by rains, kids running in street, hawkers and shopkeepers taking break from usual business.

Banaras fascinated me always, interest in photography is something new, but I have many many childhood memories around Banaras. Array of relatives and family member visited Banaras, for religeous resons, for shopping or just visting distant relatives

 ..be it with my grand ma or spending vacation on haridwar ..

I have never seen such lively place and completely in love with banaras..see Varanasi through my lenses J

This is Assi Ghat, just reached Varanasi.. River Ganges and the Ghats, my long awaited destination..this was my first visit to Varanasi. I simply loved this place even after cheated by many touts, rikshawala, auto driver, boat man :)

Assi Ghat view, one of my favorite click

Sadhus on Assi Ghat, loved red stairs :)

Crow is just waiting for fishes, lots and lots of fishes were there and fishing is allowed.Fishing is not allowed in Haridwar.

Sadhus thinking "Join Ramdev or just timepass in Varanasi"

Loved tagline written on Ghat "Ganga Darshan hi Ganga Snan hai"

I tried hard bargaining here..Chhavi was not feeling very good so i went to finalise boat.I called where is boatwala ..one guy screamed "Babloooo"..Babloo came enquiring "ohh you want boat, to and fro will take Rs 950 ".After long time i got chance to bargain and C also not there so i thought let me give a try "950..nahi bhaiya hotel wale bhaiya ne bola just 200 aur mai to apko 250 bol rahi hon" and I started seeking some other boat guys.Babloo came he said "Ok madam lets meet @ 6:00 pm under this tree".I assumed he is ready in 250.I went back to hotel and told C see how good i m in bargaining and you never let me do bargain ..

and sharp 6:00 pm we reached under tree where Babloo asked to come

:)

no this decorated boat is not ours, its for some other group

and our boat ride started..

View from boat and picture shot by Chhavi

i

there is ghat for Karnataka..bit surprising..

Tulsi Ghat view

children just jump in Ganges and play..couldn't capture very well.

got our rick :)

everyone wonder how beautiful Varanasi is!

Evening Arti@Dashashwamedh Ghat

Avu is tired now but like a true traveller don't want to miss a sight

Arti got over and it was bit dark, Babloo asked "Madam chale?" ..i said yeah and then actual boat ride starts..

There were three boat man and flow was heavy, we were crossing all Ghats.Harishchandra ghat was scary as cremation happens here. 

Boat ride was bit scary and boat man was in kind of experimental mode, sometime they just leave boat ..next 5 mins one boatman jumped from boat and started pulling boat.I must say it was adventurous  boat ride:-)

Ganga looks gorgeous at night..

almost reached 

Had nice pizza (firewood) next to Assi Ghat :)

We decided that we will wake up early morning and go to temple and may be Saree market.I went for photo shoot and C and Avu was resting.

Big shock for my life, i have seen one guy's deadbody and people gossiping around.Don't want to elaborate here.

what we have done with Ganga, stop polluting now!

all set :)

We asked Hotel guy where to go for nice breakfast, he suggested "Banras King".We took rick to reach Burger King, small shop and crowded .

Reached Banaras burger and  had Aloo Pori and Jalebis.Avu was bit uncomfortable but same time she was hungry so had Poori and Jalebi. Our next destination was Vishwanath temple and here comes Banarasi Rickshawala. He took us Vishwanath temple near to BHU.

crossed BHU

I was surprised to see that temple was so clean, not crowded no security. Its completely different from my imagination.

We spent some time there and came back to hotel for rest.

Slept for sometime and then we were all set to go for Chok, Banarasi Saree market.We took Auto and reached , C noticed that so much security there..is this old Vishawanath temple not the one where we just visited!

We thought lets go and see, so much security were there and people were troubling God Shiva by throwing flower, milk,water..whatever they can throw they are just throwing without thinking that they are spoiling such beautiful place..

I decided not to trouble God Shiva and preyed from far.No pictures since photography was not allowed :(

After temple we headed to Saree market, got some touts and they followed us and took us the place which i have asked address.

I was amazed to see so many sarees, that guy called something 4-5 guys and each one brought 100 Sarees.Lovely sarees bought few.

Conjusted roads @Banaras but very lively  

had our lunch@The Keshari Restaurant , it was ok.

just after lunch seen aloo tikki but we are done so just one click and we moved on..

one gets everything in those narrow road, dyeing is in process

suddenly smelling like milk, curt, khoa, paneer..yes we crossing khoa/paneer market

assi ghat view from other side

stayed @Palace on Ganges, nice hotel but they have only one remote for AC so if you want to change temperature call @reception :)

started for Alahabad :)

Varanasi is must go, whenever one get time must visit to india's oldest city.