This is a continuation of my previous post Varanasi: A Visit to the Cultural Capital of India …
Second Day: Varanasi Sightseeing
The second day was reserved for sightseeing. In the morning we went to Kashi Viswanath temple for ‘puja’. It was a Monday and the alleys to the temple were stuffed with people, actually devotees, from all across India. Being a not-so-religious kind I chose to wait at a distance with all the mobile phones and cameras while my mother and aunt went inside. They don’t allow mobile phones and cameras inside. So, one way or the other I had to wait outside.
After lunch we set out for sightseeing in Varanasi. This time we didn’t take car from the hotel. We managed it with a local car rental agency and hired a Tata Sumo for the rest of the day at Rs. 800 (at the hotel desk, they asked for Rs. 2000). But I advise you should always start early for sightseeing.
Ram Nagar Fort
We started at 1:30 pm from the city and headed to Ram Nagar Fort, the palace of the ‘Maharaja’ (king) of Kashi (Benares).
Now the palace has been turned into a museum where you can see a historic collection of oriental and western artillery used in the 17th and 18th centuries; the cars and golden chariots used by the royal family; the silk robes and intricately designed silver dinnerware and decorative ceramics.
I liked the beautifully crafted chariot and was amazed by the size of a huge Cadillac. The ‘Rang Mahal’ (entertainment hall) has fascinating stained glass windows and doors to add more charm to its purpose, I guess.
Sarnath
From the fort we headed right to the holy shrine of ‘Sarnath’ where Lord Buddha is believed to preach his first sermon. Here, one thing I must mention that normally the sightseeing trips start with visiting temples in and around the city, then the university and then Ram Nagar fort to Sarnath which is about an hour journey from Varanasi. Since we started late we changed the itinerary starting with the distant fort and shrines and then coming back to the city.
Sarnath Temple was looking beautiful in the golden streaks of twilight sun.
The temple premises were clean and quiet with the typical characteristics of a Buddhist shrine. Serenity was prevalent in the atmosphere. But what disturbed my mind was the signboard right inside the temple “Rs 25 for Photography” while “photography prohibited’ was written outside. Commercialization has turned out to be an infectious disease!
Banaras Hindu University
Our next destination was BHU, Banaras Hindu University, one of the largests in India. The university has its own aerodrome, helipad and bus service. The buses start from the main gate and ply the sprawling 10 sq km campus dropping students at their respective department buildings. Unfortunately it was already dark and I couldn’t take pictures. You’ll like the beautiful Birla Temple situated inside the campus.
Durga Mandir
Back to the city, we visited temples of Gaudi (Durga Mandir), Hanuman Ji (Sankat mochan) and Annapurna.
The manager at car rental suggested for a day trip to Triveni Sangam, Allahabad which is about 3 hours drive from Varanasi. Unfortunately we were too short of time. Well… there is always a next time … :).
Continued… Part III: Exploring the Ghats
Footloose Forever 
Nice to read
It reminds me my college days when I was in class xii we read a piece of writing of Aldous Huxley about Banaras……
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Yes, I also read that essay in XII and realized that his descriptions were so vivid when I actually visited Banaras… And it seemed that nothing has changed since then… 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
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😀 Though I am from Kashi, I haven’t been to Sarnath yet 😛 There’s so many relatives, people to meet. So much to do that going out in the city for travelling takes a back seat 😀 But then, recently with the travel bug bite.. I will be rediscovering the city again and again in the new light 🙂 Loved the captures moon!
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Wow…that’s great! Comments from a local boy means a lot. 🙂 Varanasi has an enigmatic charm. Hope you are going to share your stories soon.
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http://www.facebook.com/IncredibleVaranasi
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Hope You have good time in my city visit my facebook
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The pictures make me nostalgic..I have been to Benaras and Sarnath as a child..But I do feel like going back again 🙂 Thanks Moon Di for such a vivid account 🙂
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I don’t think my mom’s that religious! 😀 however, your descriptions are so vivid and captivating that I sure want to check out Benaras some day! plz do complete the post soon…
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Moon di, as usual another great post. The freshness of your post is what i like the most. Banarasi is a place which I personally don’t admire. But after going through your blog, it feels like I should explore this place and it’s my mother’s dream destination as well. Let’s c how soon we can manage. 🙂
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thanks Deblina…and please do visit with your parents…it was my mom’s dream destination as well 🙂
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its awesome …. ///////////moon….
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Very descriptive and knowledgeable – made me feel like I too should plan a trip to Varanasi 🙂
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I have liked the photography and the way it has been presented in the blog. Keep up the good work and also request you to visit and contribute in any possible manner to askpabs. Our collaborative effort can do wonders. 🙂
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You keep the reader engrossed. I also like to travel and do photography! If there is no internet and no SEO, you have an alternative at your disposal – to be a good guide!!
A suggestion would be to link both these travelogues with each other!
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hahahaa…thanks Boddhayan… i didn’t really think abt this alternative! btw, did u mean adding your blog in my blogroll?
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No, I mean adding this link: https://chandrabali.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/varanasi-a-visit-to-the-cultural-capital-of-india-part-ii/ to the Part-1 of your travelogue and so on. In other words, “To be continued” in Part-1 should be linked to this post. It helps the reader to continue his reading momentum!
I have also written quite a few articles on travel, you can check those out here: http://www.holidayiq.com/vacationerindex.php
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