Gangaa Taranga Ramaneeya Jataa Kalaapam
Gauree Nirantara Vibhooshita Vaamabhaagam
Naaraayana Priyamananga Madaapahaaram
Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishvanaatham.
Adore Shiva who is the Lord of city named Varanasi,
Who is the lord of the world,
Whose tress-locks are held together by the beautifulwaves of Ganges,
Whose left is side is adorned continuously by the presence of Sri Gauriji,
Who is dear to Narayana,
And who absolves the pride of Kamadeva (Ananga).
(From Kashi Vishvanath Ashtkam)
I have always had a deep desire to have an intimate view of the city so closely interwoven with the attributes of Lord Shiva.Yes,I am talking about Kashi or Benaras or Varanasi which is one of the most sacred and ancient cities on this planet. The city that is closest to the heart of “Bhole Baba” (Lord Shiva) who loves aimless wandering here and there rapt in his own thoughts,caring a damn about life around him.No wonder,the denizens of this city have developed more or less the similar traits.Full of life and masti (happiness) we can find them enjoying “Kachauri and Jalebi ” (hot favourite dish of localities) at every nook and corner of the city side by side representative of Lord Shiva-the bulls.
I was in Varanasi to meet my sister in law working at BHU. Back at Allahabad I was dying to take a break from the hectic writing schedules. So when I got the invitation from my sister I was on cloud nine. Sometimes we need to break the chain of episodes of monotonous life.I should tell my readers that my relatives belong to Varanasi but missed connections and rush of life prevented me from landing in the city.I have been to the city numerous times but failed to mingle with happenings there owing to concerns of life.The city that I admired and loved a lot was still a stranger until the present visit.
The train journey was a fascinating one.I love to visit via passenger trains and not express trains in short journeys.That allows me to have a glimpse of the simple life of ordinary citizens.Most beautiful was the sight of Ganges as the train crossed the Jhunsi Bridge.The serene waters of Ganges was quite a rejuvenating experience.The greenery that prevailed on this route was another thing that gave me undistorted pleasure.I really enjoyed various eatables on various stations be it “garam aaloo pakodas” at beautiful Gyanpur station or hot tea at Madho Singh Station!! The train compartments on this route are full of interesting activities with sellers selling one eatable or the other.
The most beautiful thing about these cute small stations is that they take you back to India of 19th century.They have retained their rustic touch amidst the currents of globalization.The stations still use old mode of ensuring smooth departure of trains.Some of them still have mud made platforms instead of the cemented ones.The arrival of the Varanasi station put an end to this short and beautiful journey.
The auto ride from Varanasi station to BHU ( Benaras Hindu University) make me realize that face of city has changed a lot.The rustic touch I intercepted in the train journey gave way to hi fi glamour initiated by the waves of globalization.The big shopping malls selling branded jeans etc.,the big car showrooms,the high profile restaurants and girls in trendy dresses driving fast latest brand of vehicles with or without male partners were enough to make me realize that the city has given way to latest changes.It was on the way to become a clone of any Western city. Thanks to ancient roots in form of huge number of temples scattered in the city the switchover is a slow one.
My sister was happy to see me. She informed me about the monkey menace.She told me that a pack of “chura and matar”(Poha-Green Pea) was lifted by the monkey some days back.She had brought it to prepare morning snacks for me !!! That’s why I found most of the main doors in her locality closed !! However, this explanation was a facade.Varanasi ,of late, has become hunting ground of Mafias. The daughters and sons of wealthy citizens are abducted by them and are left only after being delivered a huge ransom.The impact of their menace has made the citizens to be extra cautious.The doors remain shut !!
I had an opportunity to visit Sampurnanand Sanskrit University there.The auto ride from BHU to that university was pretty melodious one !!! I came to hear many interesting so-called bhojpuri(local dialect in Varanasi region) songs like “lagai deeha cholia me hook rajaji ” (fasten up the blouse hook)with passengers that included pretty girls as well !!!! It was a pretty interesting sight to note huge crowd outside a theater showing a Bhojpuri movie !! After all,visiting a theater in disc age is not at all a desirable option.Anyway,the mind came to recollect the taste of delicious Benarasi Chaat(an edible made of mashed potato) which I came to taste on landing in the city.I am great lover of Aaloo Chaat.Not a single shop be it in Lucknow or Allahabad has missed my eyes !!However,to be honest,the taste that Benarasi Chaat offers is simply nonpareil.
The university has now arrived.It’s a Sanskrit University but I found that “Mukhya Bhavnam” (main building ) is old British age building !!Just after that main building there is the statue of one of the British principals Ralph T. H. Griffith !!! As per historical records the Britishers passed a resolution in year 1791 for establishment of Sanskrit College.This college in the year 1958 attained the status of University via the efforts of Sampurnanand.The place still retains the charm of ancient age !!! The university’s office is devoid of basic facilities but the staff tried its level best to solve my problem !! I returned back from there with pleasant experience to see students discussing whether they should go in for “Jyotish “(Astrology) or “Vedanta” (Branch Of Upanishads)or “Sahitya”(Literature) under a Vata Vriksha (Banyan tree)? Even the Benarasi Paan (betel leaf) that I was now chewing could not prevent me from smiling !!!
The sight of huge Vat Vriksha with students under its shade discussing the Sanskrit tales made me remember the Vat Vriksha of our college at Allahabad.In our college days when the scorching sun teased us lot ,the shades of Vat Vriksha provided us much needed relief.In the morning session during free periods we discussed lot the philosophical principles.The huge debates involving serious issues were dealt with in lighter vein.So right from “Advaita “( Non-dualism )of Sri Sankra to Vishishtadvaita Vedanta of Sri Ramanuja Baba( Advaita with uniqueness) we discussed all in our own fun filled ways !!!
On the second day of my stay at Kashi ,I came to attend a lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam held inside the premises of BHU.My brother in law who works at BHU hospital made a memorable remark that you rarely find busy souls like doctors and senior medical college professors involved in making of such functions. The thought that “it happens only in Varanasi “flashed though my mind once he finished his remark !!! On way to Malviya Hall I came to notice that attendants who have arrived with the patient were sitting in open at the premises of OPD.The hospital authorities at both Medical College in Allahabad and BHU Hospital in Varanasi should make proper arrangements for people who arrive with the patients.They should not be left at the mercy of Lord.
At the Malviya Hall where this lecture was organized is a very well maintained building.I was informed that Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya -the great Hindu reformer- used to stay here.I must say that doctors did a brilliant job.I found one group involved in musical rendering of Srimad Bhagavatam in Ram Charit Manas style. I was informed that it was first such attempt to sing it in that style !!A prominent citizen of the city has transformed Sanskrit shlokas into language used by the Ramcharit manas !! The other group was taking care of the refreshments.
The students from music department of BHU made the evening quite a musical one.Someone from them sang this beautiful bhajan : Ek Radha Ek Meera, Dono Ne Shyam Ko Chaha ,Antar Kya Dono Ki Chah Me Bolo ,Ek Prem Diwani Ek Darash Deewani ( There are two lovers of Krishna Radha and Meera ,Both are in deep love with Krishna, Now tell the difference in love of these two noble ladies ?,One seeks deep love and the other seeks constant presence of the beloved ! ).The bhajan led to the lecture whose essence was that ultimate aim of lower self is merger with the Greater self via the path of knowledge or path of devotion.
After attending the lecture not enough time was left to have the darshan (view) of Bhole Baba at New Vishvanath Temple inside the BHU premises.In fact,Lord Hanumana was more interested in seeing us than Bhole Baba (Lord Shiva) !! I was having a deep pain in one of my legs but I asked my brother in law not to miss the darshana of Hanumanji at Sankat Mochan Temple. Soon we were there.It was Saturday so there we a long line of devotees.
I came to remember that some years back when blast occurred at this place it must have killed many peoples !!What have we done to stop the menace of Islamic terrorism ? Nothing. Anyway,I was happy to be at this temple. After we offered our prayer and went to drink the tap water I found a long queue of monkeys was already ready to drink the water !!! All of sudden not less than hundred monkeys appeared before our eyes.One of the devotees remarked that allow them safe passage as they are on way to destroy the kingdom of Ravana !! Safe passage was provided and we all managed to come out of the temple !! The pain in leg had now vanished !!
On the final day of the stay at this sacred city ,I had planned to eat Kachauri Jalebi but my sister was adamant on making me taste home made Chola-Bhatura.She is a great cook.I had to give way to her delicious Chola Bhatura but since I had woken up early in a mad desire to eat Kachauri Jalebi I decided to have a morning walk on the streets of Varanasi. They say mornings of Kashi and evenings of Lucknow are awesome !!! True.The bells of temples added new dimension in the morning period !! The divinity seem to reverberate in the atmosphere ! !
However,the kid inside me asked the brother in law ,” The city’s landscape is filled with modern buildings but I fail to understand why the civic authorities have failed to construct proper roads ?” Some of the main roads are in very poor shape.Imagine the plight of new comer having a ride in overcrowded auto moving in fast speed on these routes.I saw one of the lady passenger asking the auto driver to take care of the potholes but that stupid driver cared a damn for advice !!My brother in law didn’t answer my question but asked me to take note of the fact that Varanasi has fallen in love with hospitals ! ! In his area alone there were numerous huge hospitals offering quality treatment !!!! The morning walk ended with some jalebis (sweet dish) minus kachauris within my belly !!!
I wish to say that all these years having been part and parcel of both Lucknow and Allahabad in intimate way I still can’t decipher what exactly makes the evenings of Lucknow and noon of Allahabad so special ? However,it took me just few seconds to intercept the uniqueness of mornings of Varanasi. The humour element involved here is the fact that when I used to live at Lucknow I took special trips to Hazaratganj during the evening time.In fact, be it Aliganj area or Indira Nagar area the evenings were spent walking on the streets of Lucknow with friends. May be the romantic waves that prevail there especially during the evening make the evenings so special there!!
The Lucknowites are very romantic creatures who love to demonstrate love in style !!! They demonstrate it in cultured poetic way as well. Visit Bhool Bhulaiya and you will come to know all. Have a close look at inside walls of Bhool Bhulaiya.The darkness inside will not prevent you from taking note of the artistic inscriptions such as “Arrow Pierced Heart” , “I love you Jaaneman (sweetheart)”,”I love you Teena ” and etc.!!!That’s ample proof. A Lucknowite would easily beat everybody when it comes to demonstrate love for their beloved.
In the same manner I tried to unlock the mystery of noon time at Allahabad.The only thing I came to notice that be it scorching summer days or extreme winter days the Allahabad is are quite busy during noon time.The city is quite lively during this period.Visit Civil lines you would find many busy souls ,belonging to different working arena,sipping juice or coffee !! The city seems to be hyperactive during noon hours !!!
In the evening that followed my great wish to see Ganga Aarti(prayer offered to Ganges) got fulfilled. We were soon at Dasaswamedh Ghat- one of the oldest and holiest Ghats of Benaras.The atmosphere there was so heavenly.The serene waters of Ganges,the chants of shlokas, the bright and beautiful faces of people gathered there and the spiritual stillness that permeated the ghat all combined to give an unique experience that’s very hard to define in words.
People from distant lands also looked so involved in the happenings there. I saw many of them in state of meditation !!! Some of them were busy clicking images while some of them were eager to drop a burning diya into the Ganges !! The Ganga Aarti was indeed a breathtaking one !! Such a pleasing sight for the eyes !! What else can eyes have more better than that ? When the Aarti finished ,I felt a journey to paradise has ended !!
We were now at Godowlia.This is close to the Dasaswamedh Ghat.A wonderful place so full of life and colour. There was a huge crowd involved lost in various activities !!!! I was taken aback by the sight !!It appeared to me that whole city has arrived at Godowlia !!I mean this type of crowd in cities like Allahabad come out only during Dussehara but here I find same number of people at Godoulia without any specific purpose.However,I smiled inside.That’s the real spirit of Banarasis.They enjoy the life a lot. As I sipped the hot tea at one tea stall famous for special tea at Godowlia,I came to see life gaining life !!!
The aroma of tastiest eatables made my stomach do rock and roll !! However, my strict sister murdered my desire to taste Banarasi Chat again by reminding that back home dinner is waiting for us !! After spending some moments inside the lane that goes straight to the Kashi Vishvanath Baba,we were back at the gates of BHU !! Before we arrived at the home,I came to spot place near BHU gate offering delicious coffee in Kulhar(earthen pot).Believe me sipping well prepared coffee in big sized Kulhars was a terrific experience for me. I have had tea in Kulhar many times.This was the first time I was drinking coffee in kulhar !!!Tea or coffee in kulhars attain a special taste.
Next morning I was in train to Allahabad with pleasant memories of Kashi.I know that within me rests a Banarasi spirit.That’s why I struck an intimate chord with this city in one go. Well,my father in early years of life had two options Kashi or Prayag (Allahabad ) to chose as his Karmabhoomi (the city of livelihood).He went in for Prayag. However,the spirit that constitutes the essence of Kashi lives inside me.It refused to part ways with me !!! Long live Kashi with its heavenly attributes !!!!!
References:
Ganga Aarti
Ganga Aarti 2
Sri Kashi Vishvanath Ashtkam
Pic Credit:
The Beautiful Ghat Of Varanasi
Kashi Vishvanath Baba
Beauty Personified
Jhunsi Rail Bridge
Monkeys In The Arms Of Ganga Mai
Sampurnanand Sanskrit University
Benarasi Paan
Benaras Hindu University
When Heaven Meets Earth
Temple Of Sankat Mochan Baba
Streets Of Varanasi In Night
Ganga Aarti
Godowlia
Entrance Gate Of Kashi Vishvanath Temple
Kashi Vishvanath Temple
Ganges During Night In Varanasi
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