She'll make you feel these 8 emotions (भावनाएं) | Varanasi

Varanasi, the world’s oldest inhabited city felt less like a place and more like an experience that stayed with me long after I left. And witnessing Dev Deepawali here took that feeling to another level. The ghats lit up with countless diyas, the sky bursting with fireworks, the sound of the aarti echoing across the Ganga… it was surreal, overwhelming and unlike anything I had ever felt before. During my days here, I went through a whole spectrum of emotions and somewhere between the chaotic lanes and the quiet river, this city taught me more than I expected. Here’s everything I explored on this rollercoaster trip: - Witnessed the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat - Learned how authentic Banarasi sarees are woven - Experienced the surreal Dev Deepawali night - Joined a clean-up drive with @VrikshitFoundation and the kids of Chotti Si Aasha foundation - Tried some incredible local food - Visited iconic ghats like Assi, Dashashwamedh & Manikarnika - Took a peaceful boat ride on the Ganga If you’re planning a trip to Varanasi, keep these tips in mind: - Be mindful of crowds and protect your belongings -- Book stays only through trusted platforms and do not pay in advance, unfortunately scams do happen here - Reach the ghats well before sunset to get a good spot for the aarti - And most importantly… come with an open heart. Varanasi reveals itself slowly! Varanasi changed something within me, in ways I didn’t even realise at the time.And I know this won’t be my last visit… there’s still so much more of this city waiting to be understood. If there’s anything special you think I missed, please leave your recommendations in the comments below. I’d love to explore more on my next visit! ▶ Check out my gear on Kit: https://kit.co/tanyakhanijow Let's connect on Social Media? ● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyakhanijow/ ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanyaKhanijowtravels