Kashi Khanda
The Trinity -Ganges , Shiva and Kashi stand mute spectators to a tradition forgotten by many , but not by the following people who are doing their bit to protect the traditions of the great Hindu faith and an amazing city :
- The Young priests who every evening unfailingly do the Ganga Arti at Rajendra Prasad Ghat
- The poor Bramhin who has devoted his life to the service of Shiva
- The sentry in front of Vizzy's once palatial mansion , whose wrinkles tell us that he continues to fight the failed attempts of urbanization of the city
- The gallis that are home to the Sastry's who came years ago from Andhra and lead by one Gopinath Sastry still run institutions which evangelise the scriptures
- The beggar who dresses up like Shiva and chants "Bom Bhole" to attract the foreigners for alms
- The generations of waiters at Baba Thandai who has been serving thandai and bhang for more than a century now
- The children of the gallis , who have no place to play , so they make the ghats their playground and swim in the Ganges for entertainment
- The sadhus at Dasasamedh , Ashi , Manikarnika et al , who smoke the ganja ......
Go visit Benares and experience your roots , I have done it , why dont you !!
4 comments:
Great post :)
Your post reminds me of Satyajit Ray's Apur Shongshaar :)
beautiful....waiting for more writings and photographs!
Just as Nayan says, this did remind me of Apur Samsaar. I have never been to Varanasi, and I have alway wanted to go. I hope I will this winter. I wish it happens.
From the various stories that I have heard, this city is a representation of my tradition, of my nation. I enjoyed your post, and will be back for more.
Hi Ritwick
Good that you liked the post , and yes Kashi is an amazing place to be , go there and write about it
Cheers
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