Ayodhya Yaatraa Day 4 -705

           AYODHYA YAATRA - DAY 4

One’s visit to Varanasi , Kashi or The Benaras of the past is considered as meaningless without visiting the Ghats and taking a Holy Dip in Ganges or Ma Ganga . 

2nd September was even more special as it is the day of SOMAVARA AMMAVSSAI . This day is considered special for offering Tarpanam and offering the same on the Banks of the Ganga is considered even more special . 

We started at  5.00 AM and headed to the Hanuman Ghat . Lo and behold the river was flowing in all its might and as the name suggests flowing from South to the  North . This I am told is the only place in its long Journey where the Ganges proceeds in its long passage across the Hills and Plains in this direction .

This brought back our memories of the same Hanuman Ghat 8 years Back and our stay at The Sankara Madam along with my Sambandhees . 

Hanuman Ghat is a long Ghat or Padi Thurai where the 70 of us assembled . Finding a seat after a bath in the river for the Sankalpam and Tarpanam was not an issue . The flow and current  was really strong . The rope tied to the Boats were a big help as they provided  support in taking the bath . 

Sriram Vadyaar who oversaw the whole process which included explaining the meaning of what we were reciting in Sanskrit to Tamil was also  most welcome. 

Process completed , old clothes were discarded for a a fresh set of Dress which represented the beginning of an all new journey . 

We returned to the Hotel Singh Residency for a quick Breakfast and headed for Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It would be almost impossible to describe the experience of walking in the multitude of crowd ,  all with the very same intent , 70 of us walking one behind the other with Ashoke at one end  waving with an Umbrella  , Saravanan at the other end and Jitin in the middle trying their best to maintain some sort of order was a real sight .

 Walking in these Extremely narrow lanes and bye lanes with people moving in the opposite directions , Alms seekers , Stray Dogs , Huge Bovines ,  and two wheelers trying their best to reach wherever they were headed to in the shortest possible time totally oblivious to the fact that they might seriously injure someone seemed to be  amongst the least of their concerns . . 

We visited the Visalakshi Temple First  and Headed towards the Mahadev Temple .

With a lot of effort and change of Route masterminded by Ashoke we were finally at the entrance of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple from the Ganga Ghat Side . 

After a wait and walk through a maze of closed enclosures for nearly 2 Hours we finally managed to view KASHI VISHWANATH to offer our Prayers and Respects . 

Our earlier visit tthis place   was a real help . The Sanctum Santorum  is  not  exactly in the middle of the domed structure but at one corner .  With the huge crowd pushing for space one gets just a few seconds for the Darshan .

We visited the Annapurna Temple next . 

Our near Four Hours effort was Really Worth the Trouble which for many was once in a lifetime experience. 

We got back to our Hotel in a Cycle Rickshaw. It was sheer luck and Gods Blessings that we got back without any bodily harm . So much for the Traffic at Varanasi and its Milling Crowd . We were in our Hotel for lunch around 2.00 PM,  Ashoke informed us that we have to be ready for Ganga Aarati at 4.30 PM again . 

After a short nap we were all ready for our evening tryst with the Varanasi Crowd and its Traffic Management which should actually be read as its mismanagement of the highest order . 

The World Famous Ganga Aarati takes place at Dhashasmedh Ghat in Varanasi . One of the best places to view this extraordinary spectacle is from the Boat anchored in front . 

Due to the heavy flow of water in the Ganges , Boat ride  across all the Ghats lay suspended. 

The only option left was  to be right in front of the show on the Dias and with the entire set of Visitors from India and across the World Trying their best to gain access to the place , it really was a huge challenge , 

Ashoke used all his experience of his previous visits to the place and his contacts to secure a place for all the 70 of us though at a price . We were seated just a few Metres from this Spell Binding and Enthralling Experience. This near one hour once in a lifetime experience is sure to stay with us for the rest of our lives , 

How can one be at Varanasi and not visit the outlets selling Benaras Silk Sarees . It would be a sacrilege if the womenfolk were to do so , 2 hours of shopping time was given by Ashoke much to the delight of the Ladies , I am however not so sure about the Gents in the group . 

All in all an Unforgettable Day .