I still can’t get myself to calling it Varanasi. No rhyme or reason. In my head Benares reverberates of times that still linger from 4000 years ago..

Circa 2005, A few friends of mine and I from architecture school decided to hop on a train and head to Benares. I don’t remember the temples I went to or the names of the ghats…What I distinctly remember is how I felt ambling along the narrow lanes flanked on either side with sweetmeats and chants pouring out through little alleyways with scores of people each one completely engrossed in his/her own devotion moving along with their own rhythms…

I felt at peace.. and I don’t just make that up. Benares still brings out a strange longing in me and it took me at least 15 minutes of arguing with Bharath to have him include it in our travel plan for TGDC.

Most people go to Benares with a goal in mind..Walk the holy city to cleanse themselves of sin, ‘find’ themselves or simply give up in the arms of the Ganga and pass on to a better abode.

All I want is to walk those ghats and alleyways and feel that same surge of happiness.

P.S I am not highly religious but the ganga aarti out there is a must experience.