(Varanasi ) Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together – Mark Twain
Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city’s winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
All action is prayer. All trees are desire-fulfilling. All water is the Ganga. All land is Varanasi. Love everything – Neem Karoli Baba
It is not easy to understand Varanasi, but you can feel and experience it… it does not work with logic and reasoning, but with faith and devotion. It is a world apart from any other place you have even known. This is the place where the sea of humanity finds salvation.
Many people think they cannot have knowledge or understanding of God without reading books. But hearing is better than reading, and seeing is better than hearing. Hearing about Benares is different from reading about it; but seeing Benares is different from either hearing or reading – From the book The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.
It is believed that this holy city is one of the oldest living cities in the world. In fact, it is believed that this place was once the home of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This connection of this city with eternity doesn’t end here; for it is believed that the person who inhales his final breath here, actually attains salvation. A a number of famous literary geniuses such as Munshi Prem Chand and Tulsi Das hail from this city. Ravi Shankar and the shehnai maestro, Ustad Bismillah Khan, the leading legends of the industry also have their roots in this place.
Varanasi is also a leading trading center as a great amount of trade is done here. The intricate silver and gold brocades and the famous Banarasi silk are the major items that this city is known for. A very uncanny and astonishing custom is practiced in this city – frog marriage, which is particularly done in the rainy season at the Ashwamedh Ghat. The priest performs the ceremony of wedding a couple of frogs and then they are then left into the river.
For those who are intrigued by Varanasi and would like to go for a Photography tour, please get in touch with us.