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Kashi - A nostalgic reverie

 

Kashi, to me is a safe place, like home. It instantly decelerates the pace of life and imbues me with a profound sense of belonging, as if I’ve always been there. Despite its chaos, crowd, and clutter, Kashi possesses a unique ability to reveal the underlying beauty and serenity.


Sharing this extraordinary place with my little one was profoundly meaningful, even though the primary allure was the food. This small space boasts a rich repertoire of culinary delights, and one can only aspire to taste them all. We indulged in three days of kachori, chaats, and local sweets! The narrow lanes (galis) are notably cooler during the day, and we reveled in exploring renowned temples such as Kasi Visalakshi, Pashupathinath, Maha Mrityunjaya, and Kaal Bhairav, while also discovering lesser-known ones like Kashi Karvat and Kedareshwar. Kashi Dham and Jantar Mantar offered delightful cultural experiences, narrating the rich history of those who have traversed this city. Visiting these places felt like stepping into a vivid page from history.


There is something unique in every corner if we only take the time to look. Finding a Shivalinga inside a house left me astonished, and soon, I began noticing more within other homes. It is impossible not to pause and reflect on the myriad activities unfolding around you in the ghats. Kashi transcends religion, faith, or belief. It simply exists. You perceive it through the lens of your own experiences. If God does not dwell here, I doubt where else He might reside.


A celebration of life and death! That is Kashi to me.

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