Tag Archives: Varanasi

Varanasi a World Apart

Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is a place where spirituality, culture, and history blend seamlessly. Situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganges, Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Benares, is a city of immense importance in Hinduism and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Watch the film in English or French Below, Enjoy

 

Here’s a short synopsis of the main things to see and do in Varanasi. Ganges River Ghats: The ghats, or steps leading down to the river, are the heart of Varanasi. There are around 84 ghats along the river, each with its own significance. Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the oldest and most vibrant, known for its evening Ganga Aarti ceremony, while Manikarnika Ghat is the main cremation ghat. Boat Ride on the Ganges: A boat ride along the Ganges River offers a unique perspective of the city. It allows you to see the ghats from the water and witness the daily activities of the locals, as well as the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony from the river. Ganga Aarti: Witnessing the Ganga Aarti ceremony is a must-do experience in Varanasi. The ceremony takes place every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat and is a beautiful ritual where priests perform prayers with fire and incense, accompanied by chanting and ringing bells. Culinary Delights: Varanasi is a food lover’s paradise, with its wide range of street food and traditional dishes. Don’t miss trying the local specialties like chaat, kachori sabzi, and malaiyyo, a winter delicacy. Sarnath: Just a short drive from Varanasi, Sarnath is where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The site is home to several ancient Buddhist monuments and is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world. Silk Weaving Centers: Varanasi is famous for its Banarasi silk sarees, known for their intricate designs and rich colors. Visiting a silk weaving center gives you a glimpse into the artistry behind these beautiful sarees. Local Markets: The bustling markets of Varanasi are a treasure trove of traditional handicrafts, jewelry, and fabrics. Explore the narrow lanes of the old city to find unique souvenirs and immerse yourself in the local culture. Ramnagar Fort: Situated on the eastern bank of the Ganges River, Ramnagar Fort is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture. The fort houses a museum that displays vintage cars, royal costumes, and other artifacts. Banaras Hindu University (BHU): Founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, BHU is one of the largest residential universities in Asia. The campus is home to several museums and the Bharat Kala Bhavan, which houses a vast collection of artifacts. Varanasi is a city that overwhelms the senses with its spirituality, history, and culture. It’s a place where life and death are intertwined, and every corner has a story to tell. A visit to Varanasi is a journey into the heart of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, an experience that will stay with you long after you leave.

India two months and 200 Photos

India two months and 200 Photos (three a day) which I have selected from all my photos taken with a Fuji XT4 and either the XF27 or XF18-55.

Three of these photos have been slightly cropped the others are all out of the camera. All have been processed slightly in Capture One.

India two months and 200 Photos

Mumbai

Palolem and Gokarna

Delhi

Varanasi

Rishikesh

Orcha

Madhya Pradesh and Santosh

Bundi

Jaipur

Pushkar

Udaipur

Mumbai on the way home

I also put together two films of interest,  a visit to Patangarh for the Gond Art Tribe.

the Ganges from Varanasi

Thanks for any feedback, I hope you enjoyed the photos.

 

India one month in

India one month in so far. Started in Mumbai where Nadette and I split up. Nadette went down to Kochi. I had a problem with my eyesite, which is a fairly common complication after cataract operations. I had cataracts 4 years ago and they both went blurry. I tried to get this fixed at home, this is a simple one minute procedure, but in Ireland the waiting list is months long, even if I paid 1850€ to have it done privatley. Of course this was not possible, I already had my flight booked to Mumbai. I googled the procedure in India and had it done on day two of my visit for a total price for both eyes of 101€…..

Yag Capsulotomy Procedure, in India with the help of eyesolutions.in

I don’t know what is going wrong in Ireland, a qualified person could do ten people a day (with plenty of time to spare), that’s 18500 euro a day, but even at that money it is impossible to get an appointment….

So far I have been to Palolem in Goa, Gokarna in Karnataka, Benaulim in Goa, Mumbai twice, Delhi and I am currently in Varanasi, the holiest of Indian cities.

The whole trip is paid for by the saving I made on the eye procedure….

A film of a trip on the Ganges in Varanasi to see the sunrise

India one month in

 

Thanks to Emi for the quick loan of her laptop to make this post