A Weekend In Varanasi: Travelling Close To Home

In terms of travelling trends, the weekend break and domestic travel are really taking off. Maybe it's as we direct our attention at the environment and realise that if we can avoid flying across the world we should. But also, nowadays, everyone seems to have been caught by the travelling bug. It just makes sense to take a long weekend here or a short week there to see as much as you can of what the world has to offer. When we take these shorter breaks though, our eyes are opened to the beauty sitting right at our doorsteps. If you've lived somewhere for a long time you become completely blind to this. A far off place you could only dream of seems to be much more likely to subdue the craving for adventure and travel. However, there's often experiences awaiting much closer to home. You just need to go and find them.   

This weekend, I took a 3 day break to Varanasi. Just a short hour long flight away from Kolkata, the riverside town had masses of culture, stunning Ganges views and plenty to explore. Just an hour long trip it took to feel like I'd entered a different world. It's a completely different side to India from Kolkata. It took seeing this new place to give perspective to just how urban Kolkata is. With countless animals lining the streets, it was definitely initially a culture shock. However, after a day of exploration, I felt much more adapted to my surroundings and eager to see every side of Varanasi. It can sometimes be daunting when you experience a lifestyle so vastly different to what you're used to, but that's a major part of the travelling experience. It was necessary to throw myself in in this situation in order to feel like I was truly seeing all sides of India. Initial daunt can quickly turn to normality when you allow yourself to relax and adapt.       
 

The supposed holiest city for many religions did give off a vibe of tranquility impossible to avoid becoming immersed in. Whilst the streets are busy, even crowded, and chaotic, panoramic views of the serene water was a therapeutic calm away from this. The flux of people there to purify in the countless temples or with a dunk in the Ganges water also impacted on the serenity of the surroundings. The calm of the locals despite the hectic streets provides homage to the power of this. A whole variety of religions are attracted for this reason making it a highly interesting environment to learn about alternative lifestyles.     
   

A highlight is undoubtedly a boat ride on the Ganges. Something you cannot visit Varanasi without doing. Walking out to the ghat to catch a glimpse of the span of the great river for the first time is an euphoric moment. Vibrant colourful buildings and old temples line the bank for as far as the eye can see. Cows and horses stroll along both sides setting the slow rhythm of the river bank. It's extremely easy to catch a boat with many raring for the opportunity to offer their services at each ghat. You have the option of taking a rolling or steam boat although steam boats tend to come in cheaper with the option to get further and see more ghats too. The sight of all the boats on the water adds to the fine detail of the view. The best time to get a boat out is the evening time when it's slightly cooler and thus more bearable to sit in the sun for the journey. It also means you can admire the sights in the light and then see the burning ghat and the evening Aarti stand out from the dark. This synchronised fire display is captivating and even hypnotic. Being surrounded by a crowd of boats all docking for the best seats also creates an electric atmosphere.         
  

Varanasi has a temple at every turn. You therefore must visit some to understand what the place is all about. A visit to the Vishwanath temple will allow you to get a look around the highly renowned university too. The Durga temple also is a must see, stained bright red to match the flowers and paint you can attain on the inside. A silent stroll around each grand, intricately designed building provides a completely different experience. Simply asked any other visitor for some commentary and you'll learn that each is devoted to a separate cause.   
  

On the food side (everyone's favourite part of a trip), Varanasi has a lot on offer. Try one of the countless rooftop restaurants for a Ganges view that will make you forget your food is sitting in front of you. Or if you're going for flavour, try some of the street or market stall food. A real hidden gem is Blue Lassi: a small tourist favourite hidden amongst rows of silk shops in the market. With pages of flavours to choose from, you won't be disappointed by the fresh lassi made openly in the front of the shop. Served in a terracotta pot, it makes the perfect authentic treat. 

It's almost unbelievable that this world of flavour, colour and learning sits just a short distance from Kolkata. It makes you realise why more are opting for a short domestic break. We can't continue to neglect what we can find so close to home in search of across the world travels. When such natural beauty and such a different experience can be found so near, why look any further?

By Josie Hart