The Ghats

We started off our day with a heavy breakfast and a lot of excitement because we were finally going to see the ghats! We took a rickshaw to Lanka Gate and from there we went walking to the ghats. As we headed towards the ghats, I realised that I was back to the hustle bustle and the noise of Varanasi. The city felt so different. Maybe because had a totally different nature from the city I live in? People on the streets of Varanasi were so energetic! As I was walking through the streets, I saw cycle rickshaw guys fighting, men having the famous Benaresi Paan, pakodas, jalebis, etc., men getting a haircut and massage done in the roadside barber shop, people going to the ghats to pray,etc. I couldn't believe it was just nine in the morning because people were so energized and the streets were jammed with traffic which made me feel like it was twelve in the afternoon.

As we finally entered Assi Ghat, I wanted to talk to people over there and I wanted to know what they are doing and why they are doing that!

At the entrance of Assi Ghat, I was talking to a paan wala when Parvati ji approached me and she asked me if I was from the city, so I casually replied that yes, I am from the city. Suddenly, her eyes brightened up and she started smiling. After a few minutes, she asked me if I could take her to the city to work? I smiled at her innocent question and replied that I am sorry but I am a student, if I take you to the city, I don't know what work you will do for me. So she replied that, I am ready to do any work just take me to the city. I felt bad and clueless because I didn't know what to reply so, just to make her feel better I asked her if I could take her picture and I told her that the day I finish my college, I will come to Varanasi and take her to the city, which brought a million dollar smile on her face.

I was deeply impacted by my conversation with Parvati ji as she was the first person I talked to after coming to Benares and she made me realize the importance of what I have. As I went ahead, I kept thinking, will the lives and stories of people of Benares change me as a person when I go back home? Will I meet more people like Parvati ji?

As we walked ahead on the Assi Ghat, I saw so many interesting things that I couldn't let go of my camera for a minute.

As we walked further ahead on the ghats, we met the Black Boom Boom Baba. He is an Aghori who had an undergraduate degree from BHU and was in the army before he made the decision of being an Aghori. He told us that he was a famous Yoga teacher and he showed us a bundle of newspaper articles on him. I really liked the way he talked to people and how he loved telling people about his accomplishments. It was interesting talking to him but I felt very intimidated at the same time.

As we continued to walk through the ghats, we reached the Harishchandra ghat. Harishchandra ghat is one of the cremation ghats of Varanasi. While walking by, we encountered three to four cremation in process. Although we knew that it was a burning dead body ten steps away from us, we still wanted to sit and see the whole process. I couldn't understand why I wanted to see the cremation. Maybe because it is the reality of life and you realize that few years from now, you are going to be in the same place?

And finally we reached Manikarnika Ghat! Manikarnika Ghat is the second cremation ghat of Varanasi but, the cremation process is done on a larger scale compared to Harishchandra Ghat. When I reached Manikarnika Ghat, the idea of cremation didn't disturb me anymore but I felt very depressing while sitting on the ghat.

We finally called it a day and went back to the guest house. The day was very hectic and there was a lot to take in, emotionally and physically but I couldn't wait to see what was next..