The woman who never misses the Ganga arti
Sitting on a chabutra, amidst the sea of humanity attending the Ganga arti organised by Ganga Seva Nidhi at Dashshwamedh ghat is a frail figure, religiously ringing the bell throughout the arti. She is…
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Spirituality
Is Varanasi Losing Its Appeal Among Foreign Travellers?
My visit to Dashshwamedh Ghat the other day, perhaps my first this year, coincided with the evening Ganga arti. The arduous task of wading through the sea of humanity that…
20
Kalpavas in Prayagraj During Magh: An Inner Journey of Purification
Prayagraj, which has been conferred with the title of tirthraj, assumes a greater significance during the month of Magh. The Puranas have enumerated the importance this pilgrimage destination enjoys in…
49
The tales of the lanes of Varanasi
Living all these years in Varanasi, the maze of narrow lanes continues to enchant me every time I walk through them. During my early days in the city, quite unfamiliar with the…
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A Road to Sangam
Maha Kumbh this time had a tagline of being once in 144 years. Apart from the unique planetary configuration, the biggest spiritual gathering was unprecedented in several ways. Have covered…
37
Dev Deepawali: A Mesmerising Experience
A few months after shifting to Varanasi in 2007, a lot of buzz could be heard about the forthcoming festival of Dev Deepawali. Since Diwali was over so was not…
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Things Not to Do in Varanasi
Things to do while in Varanasi are something that has been discussed at large by the itinerary planners and now the social media influencers. However, certain things are best to be…
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The Uniquely Divine Banaras
Religiosity is the most discussed aspect of Banaras, but few are aware of the unique equation the Banarasis have with the divine. “While in other places people are God-fearing, in Banaras…
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Gurus and the ‘Guru’ Mantra of the Banarasis
Banarasis addressing each other as ‘Guru’ may appear strange to outsiders but interacting with them from close quarters one feels that the title fits them like a glove in this…
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