54 | November 2012 www.womanthismonth.com Travel The Low-down: Considered one of the holiest places on the sub-continent, Varanasi is where Hindu pilgrims come to wash a lifetime of sins in the Ganges, the river of salvation. It is named after the two rivers, Varuna and Asi, which meet here. Previously known as Benares and Kashi, this is the city of Lord Shiva, the most powerful god in Hinduism. Expiring here is thought to be the greatest blessing as it offers liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Believed to be the crossing ground between the physical and spiritual worlds, the city of light is home to intimate rituals conducted publicly on the ‘ghats’. Varanasi has an eerie yet bewitching aura which makes it an unforgettable experience because of the collective sense of rebirth and the sacred acts of cremation. X-Factor: Once you’re done taking in the magical side of this overwhelming city, walking along the intricate stairways and passages or taking a boat ride, you can take a trip back to the present day by visiting the markets. Varanasi is popular for its Banarasi saris made from silk, adorned with intricate designs and zari embellishments (threads of gold or silver). Shopaholics can find much more than brocaded fabrics here. Fetch the best of handmade brassware, jewellery, woodcraft, carpets, wall hangings, lampshades and masks of deities which make the perfect souvenirs. Foodies shouldn’t leave without trying out the langra mangoes and khoa, a dairy product. The daring epicurean can have a go at the Banarasi paan. Best For: Culturologists will go crazy in the labyrinthine ‘Old City’. Varanasi boasts a unique culture of fine arts and literature. Watch an all-night open-air music concert and visit the various forts and museums within the area. Indulge in authentic ayurvedic treatments to relax muscles that have spent enthralling hours weaving through crowds of people. Varanasi, India Lose Yourself By Elma Bartholomew Leave your watch at home, switch off your phone, tear up your itinerary and forget your bucket list. Surrender to the meandering spirit of exploration and just… get lost!
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