One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, Banaras/Kashi/Varanasi is known by many names. This city boasts a rich tapestry of culture, food, and spirituality. It’s a place where history and tradition are deeply intertwined, creating an experience that is both mesmerizing and profound.

I went to Kashi in March 2024 via an overnight train with my friends. As we arrived at Varanasi station, the whole 24-hour journey was worth it. We had booked a homestay on booking.com. Before reaching the homestay, we took an auto-rickshaw which navigated through the narrow lanes (galis) of Kashi. It was a busy late evening as everyone was finishing up their daily work and wrapping up for the day."

The next day, we started very early in the morning to receive the blessings of Kashi Vishwanath. The morning was so fresh, and there were positive, spiritual vibes everywhere. We had already pre-booked for the Sugam Darshan and proceeded with some flowers and offerings to the temple. The darshan was really beautiful; we sat near the temple, prayed, and felt the spirituality.
Since we left early in the morning, we were hungry, so we went to the famous Laxmi Chai for some Chai and Malai toast. Many locals come there daily to sip tea and talk with their friends. As we were exploring the lanes (galis) of Kashi, we smelled the fragrance of hot Kachoris and Jalebi from the popular food stall Ram Bhandar. They had a token system as there was a huge line for the Kachoris. We sat near the stall waiting for our number, people were enjoying the local delicacies with their loved ones.

There are a total of 84 ghats in Kashi, and we explored some of them by walking. Each ghat had a different presence, beauty, architecture, and story. Here are the four main ghats we visited in  Kashi, Dashashwamedh Ghat. according to legend, Lord Brahma created this ghat to welcome Lord Shiva. It is famous for the grand Ganga Aarti ceremony held every evening. The next ghat experience was completely different for me, as we saw the hindu cremation rituals at Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most sacred and oldest ghats in Varanasi, as it is believed that cremation here leads to moksha. Further we went Harishchandra Ghat is another significant cremation ghat in Varanasi, named after the legendary King Harishchandra, who is believed to have worked at the cremation ground to uphold his truth and integrity, and at the last of all ghats we visited the famous Assi Ghat, it is particularly famous for its early morning rituals and the Subah-e-Banaras (Morning of Banaras) program, which includes yoga sessions, classical music, and aarti, providing a serene and spiritual start to the day. Later in evening, we went to Kashi Chat Bhandar is famous for its mouth-watering variety of chaat, a savory snack that combines a medley of flavors and textures. We had Tamatar Chaat, Aloo Tikki, and Dahi puri. We ended this amazing day, with flavourful Banarasi Paan from Ram Mishthan Bhandar.

The next morning, we started a bit late and went shopping near the ghats. The most memorable part of the day was lunch at the famous Baati Chokha restaurant, where we enjoyed the traditional dish of Uttar Pradesh, Baati Chokha, along with chass (buttermilk) and yummy sheera (semolina pudding). After a satisfying lunch, we headed to Assi Ghat to experience boating on the Ganga. Our boat instructor was very engaging; he shared stories about the different ghats and also helped us take some beautiful pictures.The highlight of the evening was the spiritual Ganga aarti, a mesmerizing and deeply spiritual ritual that takes place every evening on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. We witnessed the aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. It's not just a religious ritual but also a cultural spectacle that embodies the essence of devotion, tradition, and the eternal connection between humanity and the sacred river. We ended the day by enjoying a very nice Bhang Lassi, took some food parcels, and concluded our day.

Kashi has been a memorable and spiritual experience for me as I have never felt so positive and refreshed in my life. Kashi has changed my perspective towards spirituality, making me appreciate how grateful it can be to feel such strong and positive thoughts. It is a place where every corner is steeped in history, where the air is filled with the sound of bells and chanting, and where the aroma of incense and street food mingles in the air. Whether you are drawn to its cultural heritage, its culinary delights, or its spiritual significance, a tour of Kashi will always remain close to my heart.