Can you imagine sitting in a temple near the banks of the sacred Ganges River for your own private worship service? Take a traditional initiation in liturgical worship with a local priest who will guide you through a series of mystical offerings to cleanse you internally and as you hear the musical intonations of Sanskrit language chanted, it will your prayers into another realm!
Varanasi is the holiest city of the Hindu world, filled with temples and teeming with cultural life. Walk through the traditional flower, silk and spice bazaars in the hidden alleys in the Northern area of the old city. We lead you from the Chowk, the traditional business square, where you will get to peep inside the shops and lives of people of Thatheri Bazaar, the metal crafters’ household goods market… many who have not left their neighbourhood for years! After a visit to Panchganga Ghat, the embankment of the Five Rivers, the walk concludes at the temple to the fearsome Kal Bhairava aspect of Shiva, where locals and pilgrim alike pay their respect to the deity as the Eternal Judge of the City.
We begin with a visit to weavers, hard at work on their traditional handlooms, and give an overview of the history of the silk trade and how zari, the metaled thread of Banaras sari patterns & designs, characterised the Banaras sari. You will see the beautiful detail work done by hand in the homes of local artisans. As we walk through the alleys of the weavers you will notice a sharp contrast of styles between the Muslim & Hindu communities, but also hear how they have interacted and worked together for centuries in both business & pleasure. After passing through the weaver’s lanes you will end up strolling down Dal Mandi, the Lentil Market, formerly the Ta’waif mohalla, or courtesans’ neighbourhood, hearing folktales of the city’s elite relating to the high culture of music and dance in Varanasi. The walk ends at the classical tabla drum makers & historic wholesale silk market.
An intensive walk to understand how both death and re-birth are intrinsical part of life for every Indian. Beginning only in the late evening (1930 – 2315 hrs) this walk takes you through the mystical experience of life and beyond in Varanasi at 'Mahashamstana' - the great cremation ground of Shiva. You will visit sacred ponds that house healing waters, visit the home of Kali, a powerful mother goddess who drinks the blood of sinners. And then you take a step into the abode of the Aghors, renunciants who practice Tantric death rituals, at Manikarnika burning ghat. As you hear the stories of the Bhairavas, ferocious forms of Shiva who protect the city, your experience will culminate
Journey to a secluded private temple for a 1.5 hour Hatha yoga session, followed by simple pranayama breathing techniques. Following the practice partake in a simple temple worship ritual
