Just Me..: Day 4 : Treasure the Holy city, Varanassi

Yeah, its no longer about Darjeeling. Leave it in the past and be ready for the next incredible place in India, the holy land of Hindustan, Varanasi.

We enter Varanasi by taking overnite train from New Jalpaiguri to Mughal Sarai. In our way, we met with some colony of Indian Doctor that seems very nice and happy to assist us. Maybe you have been familiar with so many touts happened in India, and for stranger like us, meeting and having a short interaction with local not only makes our trip become more colorful and memorable, but indeed they are very helpful.

So it does with the Doctors, they ask us to join them for having shared Auto (Autorickshaw, Bajaj in India) to ensure that we got affordable and reasonable price. Then we agreed. We got shared auto from Mughal Sarai to Lenka (Varanasi) by INR 150 for the three of us (Me, Alid and Jard). Sounds good compared to the previous one offered by the Auto driver, INR 300.

However, that kindness seems to be the fake one since what we paid was resembled normal cost for 1 auto from Mughal Sarai to Lenka. Yes, we have paid for the doctors. And we just knew it after we met with our local friends in Varanasi, Arihant and Gaurav.

Leavin' New Jalpaiguri

Let me introduce our wonderful friend in Varanasi. First, Arihant Barathi. He was a couchsurfing member that allow us to stay at his home during our short visit in Varanasi. He was a final student at agricultural major in Banaresh University, best university in Varanasi and also one of the best one in Hindustan. Alid contacted him by phone when we arrived at lenka and we headed to his House at DLW area by another Auto from Lenka. A cool, warm and helpful guy with wonderful family.

The second one was Gaurav Mohta, he is a greeter from tourism site of Varanasi, India known as padharoo.com. A site who provide free greeter for tourist for free. You just have to pay their meals and transport. A smart guy from Engineering major of Banaresh University. Again, another smart and very kind guy from one of the fabulous university in Hindustan.

Having Arihant and Gaurav during our visit was surprisingly turned the hottest weather of Varanasi more than just an exceptional experience but also built and created another chain of Friendship. It was a great time when we sat, shared and lauged almost about everything on our first meeting. See, travel has created another dimension of living by easily making friend anytime and anywhere.

Visvanath Temple, Banaresh - Hindustan

After having shower and free breakfast (thanks to Arihant), Gaurav take us to sightseeing around Varanasi. Alid has sent him our timetable including list of some places which we intend to visit. Visvanath temple - Ramnagar Castle - Monkey temple and of course the Holy Ganges.

There's always a good time to visit Ganges, sunset, sunrise or anytime for just have a walk along the riverside or maybe just have a seat and spend a day for relaxing like what i've done while waiting for the Arti ceremony, the daily ceremony or ritual of the Brahmin after the sunset (around 6.30 PM on Indian time). It was a huge even on the riverside with full of praying and religious song, many candles on a leaves and flowers floating in the Ganges at night. One of the best moment that should not be missed when you came to Varanasi.

Another best moment in Varanasi is an opportunity to attend the real Indian wedding. Yeah, our best host, Arihant, invite and let us join the ceremony. Unlike most of Indonesian wedding in our country or some Indian wedding in the hindi movie, this wedding gonna start at night till drop. Yeah till drop!!! At Indian wedding all of guests and family are looks so happy. They dance along with the music. It started from the groom house and i dont know where its end, hahahhaha... Most people were dancing like crazy. No matter they were child, old, young, ladies or man, they shaked each inch of their body and cherish the moment.

The ceremony was held in the open area like a garden party with the hall at the central. Various foods has been filling the stalls and of course music all along the night hohohoo. At the rooftop of the hall, the promise between two peoples will be held in front of the sacred fire, just like you see in the movie then. But the different is, that moment will be started at 1 AM this morning. Hahahha, just like waiting for midnite movie then...

Despite of the hot weather, i really enjoy my visit in Varanasi and sure never gonna refusing any invitation to visit that place again someday. But from now on, i'm waiting for your visit guys (Gaurav and Arihant), lets start have your own journey.