Tag: travelcouple

Posted in India, streets to visit, things to do, varanasi

Ganga Aarti

Posted on by harrytinkers

During the evening we decided to witness our first Ganga Aarti .The Ghats were getting prepared for the pooja with 6 stands for the priest to perform the pooja beautifully lit and decorated .All the buildings are also lit so colourfully. Behind the stands there was arrangement for people to watch the pooja. Also there were also arrangements to see the Aarti from front view from the boat which costs 50 per person, it’s not very expensive and if you are witnessing the Ganga Aarti for the first time you must sit here n watch it, you can see the beautiful Ganga Aarti been performed over here.

Ganga Aarti starts at the sunset and stretches up to 15 to 20 minutes. Ganga Aarti which is being performed by 6 priest all dressed in uniform of Maroon  sweater and cream colour dhoti with cream colour veshti.As they perform Pooja with different procedures  by lighting  the lamp in all four directions. This Pooja is being offered to the Holy River Ganga and it happens every evening and every morning in the same method. It is so mesmerising to view that Ganga Aarti it is like magic the synchronisation of the priest and the bhajans which is being sung in the background everything is so magical it is a lifetime experience to see that because you go into that essence of the Pooja and you get spell bound in its whole essence, it is very beautiful.

Note: After the Ganga Aarti there is a Devi temple over there and they distribute Khichdi as the Prasad because simultaneously with the Ganga Aarti Evening Aarti in the temple also starts and finish at the same time so after attending the pooja.

Al so second day we went to watch the Ganga Aarti from dashashwamedh Ghat but from behind this time also it was as magical as it was from the front view because this pandit perform the pooja from all the four sides north south east west so whenever you are sitting you can witness the pooja as the grand as it is. The ambience when Ganga aarti is performed and everyone is involved its prayers and bhajans is mesmerising.

 On the third day and last evening in Banaras to be decided to watch the Ganga Aarti  from Shitala Ghat and this time we felt that dashashwamedh Ghat has much more elaborate Ganga Aarti than shitala Ghat the difference between both is  Dashashwamedh ghat is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shitala Ghat is for Goddess Parvati  so all the bhajans which are sung in Shitala Ghat is regarding Devi and there will be difference in the way they perform the pooja and the number of priests performing the aarti were also less. The Ganga aarti in Dashashwamedh ghat is extravagant however in Shitala ghat is much more subtle.

Ganga aarti Varanasi

Fourth day we decided to visit the Ghat in the morning to watch the morning Pooja and so what we saw the difference is in the morning there is only one priest which performs the Ganga aarti in the dashashwamedh Ghat as compared to 6th priest in the evening This is a different experience to see Ganga aarti before the sunrise.

Posted in food review, India, varanasi

What & Where to eat in varanasi

Posted on by harrytinkers

Niyati cafe

 After visiting  dashashwamedh Ghat we were really very hungry so we went to a really amazing  Cafe named Niyati cafe and its a very small restaurant which serves varieties of cusines including continental, American and Indians  and we definitely preffered the authentic Indian food also be ordered a rice, dal and aloo gobi ki sabzi . The food served here is very simple and very yummy,And  the best part about the restaurant is there everything  is cooked fresh.The owner of the restaurant is a very very sweet guy and he and his wife manages the restaurant while she  prepares  the food and he manages  the restaurant . Maximum of  15 people could be accommodated in the restaurant and we would definitely recommend this place and everyone must go there .

Lanka :Pahalwan dudh centre

In Varanasi there is a place called Lanka which is which is far away from the place where we were staying  and after reading some blog recommendations  in search of some amazing chat to our disappointment we did not find anything over there. But we found there was  an amazing street food called the Chura matar which we saw just exploring the streets.There’s nothing so great about the place.And accidently the best part about going to Lanka was the Pahalwan dudh centre where you get a yummiest Gajar ka halva and we had the Balushahi Steaming hot flavoured milk  is very famous during winters in Varanasi and we were wondering why everyone drinking the milk but to be very frank after tasting the milk we found our why!!! The milk tastes amazing  with the essence of cardamom and because its being boiled for a longer time it gets that creamy texture. The boiling milk is served in kulhad which also enhances is the milk’s tastes and The longer it is boiled the better it tastes and its a  must try beverages in Banaras.

Kashi chaat centre :Godowlia

 Kashi chaat centre  located near the  godowlia chawk in Varanasi serves one of the best chaats in Varaonasi and it opens only in the evening by 6 pm and is always crowded. So  we had this amazing tamatar Chaat, dahi vada , tikki chaat , paani puri and Chura matar (of course because I loved it the  last time we had it) and I will recommend Kashi chat Centre to everyone  who visits Varanasi just because of the amazing tamatar Chaat  and also I never ever had such amazing chat ever.Also the service is very fast and every item is served  steaming hot n fresh.

Sweet shops in Gowdowlia chawk

Sweets in Varanasi especially the one which made is made with milk is the totally recommendable because the the milk is very fresh and they make all the sweets with that fresh milk and the freshness of the sweets can be experienced. We had Gulab Jamun, Rasgulla, rasmalai,Cham cham and everything  is very tasty and fresh. During Winters almost everyone in the town relishes the hot flavoured milk in the chilly nights of Varanasi and if you are craving for something warm and tasty definitely its the  steaming hot creamy milk of Varanasi.

Chai Samosa and Boondi: Dashashwamedh Ghat

While walking towards the Dashashwamedh ghat the street has loads of shops which sell samosa chai and boondi, and I must say it’s really worth giving a try and I assure you the taste won’t disappoint you instead you will feel like having them more.

Litti Chokah: Rajendra Prasad Ghat

While we were strolling along the ghats we found this street vendor selling litti chokha and it was really amazing to have the authentic taste even at a local place.

Paan

Paan is soul of Varanasi and paan shop is  found in every nook and corner of the city . Well to be very frank every shop serves really good paan as we had from multiple shops and cant decide which on e was best. The vendors would make it according to the taste which you like>also the size of the paan here is slightly bigger than the usual ones.

Steaming hot idlies : Godowlia Chawk

with For the morning breakfast we had steaming hot Idlies and coconut chutney  with loads of mustard seeds on top from a small street vendor outside our hotel .We were  a little sceptical about  having idly from north India as being a South Indian we love Idli and don’t like to experiment when it comes to south Indian cuisine but this was really good and we were extremely satisfied.

Aloo parathas foms street vendors

As far as aloo paratha is considered you can happily have it from the street vendors ,its amazingly fresh and tasty

AS far as what we experienced have the local food and have it from the crowded street vendors because the crowd indicate the taste of a particular locality of city and crowd also ensure that theres something yummy food.

Poori sabzi Or kachoris

The streets shops and vendors  of Varanasi serves these pooris or kachoris with aloo ( potato ) curry which is a must have and they have different variants in the recipes.

Kachori and sabzi

Malaiyo

Malaiyo is a frothy pleasant and firm dessert found only during the winters of Banaras. This is the elegant composition of milk, Saffron and several dry fruits, along with the most important ingredient, Dew. Yes this is the core reason why Malaiyo in winter is the availability of Dew.And trust me this would be a surprise for your taste buds.

Posted in India, varanasi

Interesting facts about Varanasi

Posted on by harrytinkers

Banaras ki galliyan

The best part about Banaras is its gullies and these are very narrow lanes which I have never seen in an Indian city .Gali is mean Street. The roads are so narrow that only one auto is the maximum which can fit into the road but still the drivers there very understand that they help each other while riding through these lanes. As a passenger it was so difficult for us to even think about riding in such narrow lanes.

Pic from pinterest

Temples everywhere

There is temple in every nook and corner of the city and you will find lots of devotees gathered and performing pooja .Another interesting thing which we saw was the Khichdi baba where the temple would give free khichdi to everyone and the vessel in which this khichdi is made keeps on rotating while it is made. As it’s named as Lord Shiva’s place you can find a Shiva linga in every street.

p.c. :Times of India

Travel Ecofriendly: Electric Rickshaws

The whole town is filled with these cute electric rickshaws which takes the passengers to nearby places. Well the pace of this vehicle is slow and if you are on a vacation and want to relax and enjoy your ride in and around the city then this is the best means of travelling. It’s definitely a fun ride and prices are much more affordable than the regular autos.

Paintings

The city is made beautiful with paintings everywhere. On the way from the airport to our hotel the city is beautifully decorated with paintings all over pavement walls, on the bridge, on the and wherever your eyes could go.

Milk and milk products

You get fresh milk and milk products in almost available every dairy product store of Varanasi. The milk is fresh and is available so much in surplus in the city. The curd is tasty and perfect which results to amazing lassi and buttermilk. The paneer is soft and creamy. And of course the sweets made with the milk and khoya is absolutely tempting.

Flavoured milk

Chaat Varieties

As we all know that north India is famous for chaat and Chatpata snacks. And Varanasi has some more delicious varieties of chaat to offer and it’s very tasty and anyone would feel like having more. Starting from Pani Puri, aloo chaat, tamatar chat, dahiwada, ragda chaat, sev puri etc each and every item has its own charm and is a must have.

Sweets

The variety of sweet which Varanasi has to offer is endless and everything is so fresh. The best which we could choose from was the Rabadi jalebi, gulab jamun, peda ,besan ladoo and Rasgulla.All the sweet items are worth trying and packing them for your loved ones too.

Banarasi silk

One of the favourite categories of silk for most of the north Indians is the banarasi silk.Banarasi silk is one of the finest variants of silk produced in India. Primarily weaved in the holy city of Varanasi or Banaras in Uttar Pradesh, this silk attracts attention due to the zari and brocade work in gold and silver thread on the fine fabric. Banarasi silk saris are known all over the world for their splendour and exquisiteness. With their vibrant colours, intricate designs, and beautiful embroidery with gold and silver threads enhances the value of Banarasi sari and often finds a place of pride in the trousseau of an Indian bride.

benarasi saree

Paan

“Ab banaras aaye aur paan na khaye aise kaise ho sakta h” (coming to Banaras how can you miss the banarasi paan). Banaras is super famous for the paan and my father was very keen in tasting it and guess what it is special and tastes amazing. Also have the paan and sing the son “ Khaike paan banaras walaaaaa”.

Banarasi paan

Aghories

Varanasi is known as the land of aghoris and they are everywhere . You can either find them meditating or roaming in the cities or in the temples praying. For people who have never seen aghoris they may see very scary especially for children , but they are harmless and they are actually in their own world of trance and are not bothered about the surroundings.

 Chillum

You can find a wide varieties of chillum , beautifully wooden carved , in different shapes and sizes .They all are handmade and in each and every street shops you would find something different

This is what we bought from the market

Souvenirs of deities

The streets which leads to ghats and to Kashi Vishwanath temple is filled with small shops and street vendors which sells of all sorts of souvenirs and items required for daily pooja. What I found intresting is the idols made of brass and the quality is very good.Bargaining is the key for shopping here so negotiate as much as possible.

p.c. Shutterstock

Varanasi is a city of religious significance in Hindus, has the best street food and variety of things to shop. So have fun while exploring the spiritual capital of India