Bakthimargam

1. Bakthimargam Devotional Tour – Kashi & Triveni Sangam(Prayag) Jyotirlingam # 1– Kashi-Vishwanath “AvanArulaleAvanThalPaninthu” We can worship the almighty only through his blessings and grace It is god who gives darshan to us and we need his blessings to worship his feet. Manivakavaskar – Sivapuranam- Thiruvasagam • Kashi- Prayag Yatra : Tour suggestions/tips based on experience

2. Kashi- Yatra : Devotional Tour suggestions : Some tips • Everyone gets a unique experience whenever they go to new place and there will be good and bad mix of stories to share. • It will be based on time of their travel, weather conditions, people they meet, background with which they had grown including food habits, co-passengers, faith and beliefs each one have especially because Varanasi is considered to be a Hindu pilgrimage centre. • The suggestions/tips shared are based on my experience and few other suggestions are based on hearsay from others • The experience shared below is tailored or biased towards people from south India – especially Tamilnadu. • However once you reach Kashi- Varanasi – The experience is going to be similar based on lord Shiva's grace. • Normally people combine Kashi- Prayag (Allahabad) : Triveni sangam – Gaya as a Yatra • It is left to the individuals choice and comfort whether to experience each place visit separately or do some combination • Suggestion is to plan for Kashi & Triveni Sangam(Prayag) Trip for a 3 day or 4 day trip, Gaya trip should be planned separately or the trip duration has to be little longer • City of Varansi & Prayag will be crowded during festival occasions like Shravan- month- North Indian Astrological calendar- especially Mondays, Kumbamela and other festivals as well . So plan your trip accordingly.

3. Kashi- Yatra : Time period of Travel at Kashi & the experience Varanasi during summer – From April till JuneThe summers are dry, sunny and humid with the temperature ranging from 32 to 46 degrees Celsius. People usually avoid traveling to Varanasi around this time; especially in the months of May and June as they are considered the hottest. Hot dry winds called ‘loo’ blow across the area, making it harder for the purpose of sightseeing. This season receives occasional showers too. Walking along the PanchgangaGhat (believed to be the confluence point of the five invisible rivers) in the evening is refreshing.Varanasi during Monsoon – From July till SeptemberVaranasi, with the onset of monsoon experiences the fall in temperature, and the real beauty of the city come in front in its drenched state. The monsoon in Varanasi is accompanied by heat, humidity and moderate rainfalls. It is a bit difficult to travel around this time, but the tourists are attracted to the freshness and beauty of the place. Varanasi during Post Monsoon – September , October The river Beds of Ganges and Yamuna will be flooded. Temperature will be still hot and humid. However people can enjoy the darshan and full flow of Ganges during this timeVaranasi during winter – From November till MarchYou can make the most of your trip to Varanasi by visiting around the winter season, the temperature ranges from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. The boat rides on the Ganga, visiting the different temples and exploring the vibrant city is made double fun if done in the winter season.  Some great festivals of the country fall around this time and take the pleasure in the customs and rituals of the locals

4. Kashi- Yatra : Devotional Tour Guidance: Travel options from Chennai to Varanasi & Back • You have Flight from Chennai to Varanasi: onward has a stopover at Hyderabad and return is direct to Chennai You have Flight from Tuticorin to Chennai and back • Chennai to Varanasi journey time varies between 4 hours to 5.5 hours based on stoppage time and the connecting flight based on the travel route • Varanasi to Chennai Journey time varies between 2.5 hours to 5.5 hours based on direct flight options or with stoppage in the travel route • Ganga – Kaveri Runs twice a week each direction. Chennai – Central to Varansi – Junction and vice versa. The duration of stay at Varanasi or Kasi Yatra has to be planned accordingly if train is used as a mode of travel for both the directions • Tier Ac will be comfortable for senior citizens who are not comfortable with Air travel • Booking has to be done 2 or 3 months in advance in case lower berth is a must. • IRCTS lists only 60 plus seats for 2nd tier AC for Chennai boarding as seats are distributed on quota basis to other stations. • IRCTC gives different options to get a confirmed lower birth seat while doing online booking. So please use them diligently. One option is you select senior citizen quota and then proceed for booking • Food options will be a major challenge for people from Tamilnadu- vegetarians in train once they cross Tamil Nadu border. No Idly (You get Rava Idly), only Chapathi , Dali, Not so well cooked Basmathi Rice. So, suggestions are to carry Apple, Bananas, Biscuits, some homemade items like ThakkaliThokku, Bread, Rusk, Cakes, Honey, Salt, Sugar, lemon, Knife for cutting fruits, plates, tumblers etc. Not much options available at Chennai Central station

5. Kashi- Yatra : Accommodation / Stay options at Varanasi • There are plenty of options available based on affordability and comfort per individual requirements. • However, advice is to have a confirmed booking for accommodation at a place like Varanasi for the days you wish to stay there. Today plenty of websites gives deals and options to stay. • Suggestion is to choose a hotel or Mutt in the city limits as it will help in local travel using Auto. • https://www.tripadvisor.in ( Please do some bargaining through Agents) • Sri Kasi NattukottaiNagaratharSatram (Chettiar Madam) : Address: Near Umesh Medical, DasaswamedhGodowliaDasaswamedh, Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, Phone: 0542 245 1804 • The Agent, Sri Kumaraswamy Mutt : Address : B. 13/156 , Sonarpura, Kedarghat, Varanasi - 221001, U.P. , Phone : (0542) 2454064 , E-mail : agentskmutt@gmail.com • KanchiMutt : Address: Hanuman Ghat, Shivala, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, Phone: 095546 66613 • As per Information available people staying in above places will be able to get good tamil/south Indian food and language will not be a problem.

6. Kashi- Yatra : Accommodation / Stay options at Varanasi • AssiGhat : Good Hotels • Banaras Haveli: Address:B-1/224, AssiGhat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, Phone: 0542 231 0956 • Palace on Ganges : Address: B-1/158, Assighat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, Phone: 0542 231 4304 • Stay duration is 24 hours (12 Noon to 12 Noon check in -check out and involves additional charges for late checkout, early check in. Palace on Ganges is a heritage hotel but well maintained. They provide double Bed room and give additional bed, but no cot if you need a triple bed room. It does not have lift. You need to climb a small staircase of 12 steps to get to the lobby. So senior citizens watch out. These challenges are not there at Banaras Haveli which is very adjacent • Many foreigners who visit Kashi stay her in these hotels. It is very close to AssiGhat and you can view the Ganges from the hotel... Please take food outside if you stay in these type of hotels as it will be cost effective. Nuts, chocolates, soft drinks, beverages provided in the room fridge will be charged if consumed. • At Godwlia chowk there are two very good hotels • Jaipuria Bhawan, NR Marwadi Hospital, Godowalia chowk, Godowlia, Varanasi – 221001. Phone: +(91)-(542)-2412674, 2412766, 2412709.They do advance booking on phone itself • Hotel Palace: which is just besides Jaipuria Bhawan near the Godowlia chowk. • Hotel Ganpati Guest house with river view: +91-542-2390057, +91-542-2390059, +91-542-2391678.

7. Kashi- Food Options • Lunch /Dinner/Breakfast options: Plenty of options are available as per each individuals choice of food • A preferred place for many people from south India and also Localities & Foreigners is Kerala café for lunch, dinner, breakfast. You get Dosa, Curd Rice, Sambar rice, tea, coffee from morning 8.00 A.M to night. Use Auto services to have food at kerala café and also buy food for people who preferred to stay back at hotel. • Another place that was referred for lunch was Vasanth Vihar – it is on the way to Sarnath from Kashi • If you stayed at some of the mutts that is listed above and with some bit of planning on the local travels in synch with breakfast/lunch dinner times of the mutt you can get some good south/Indian food.

8. Kashi- City of Varanasi- Map & important places – A Map view • 1…  Ganga River • 2…  Kashi Vishwanath Temple • 3…  Kashi Visalakshi Temple • 4…  Dasaswamedhghat • 5…  Gate No.1 Kashi Vishwanath Temple • 7…  Gate No.2 Kashi Visalakshi Temple • 9…  Godowlia Chowk

9. Kashi- City Local Mode of Transport • Auto Rickshaw is the best preferred mode for travelling within Kashi City. • Kashi to Sarnath – 10 to 15 KM distance can be manged by auto or car. • Travel by cars should be used for any out-station trips like Kashi to Allahabad • Wheel Chair facility: This is available at Gate 2 of Kashi Viswanath temple and Gowalia chowk.All those people have mobile numbers and can be directly called up whenever service is required. Only challenge you will face is that communication language will be Hindi • Vehicles are not allowed during day time after Gowalia chowk. People need to walk through the busy narrow lanes of Varanasi to take bath in DashashwamedhGhat  and also to Kashi Vishwanath temple, kasha Vishalakshi temple • Senior Citizens and people who have challenges of walking can avail this Wheel Chair facility. • Gowalia chowk to DashashwamedhGhat: You can pay them a fair charge for up and down including waiting time at Ghat as we need time for bath and Pithru-dhan at DashashwamedhGhat • You can use this facility during darshan time at Kashi Vishwanath temple and Vishalakshi temple also .

10. Kashi- City : Other Things to do in the city of Varanasi as part of Pilgrimage tour: Exploring Ganges and the Ghats • Rowing boat rides during the dawn is perhaps one of the best things to do in Varanasi. The ride along Ganges River offers the quintessential Varanasi experience. It takes one through different Ghats and former palaces situated close to the banks of Ganges, giving a panoramic view of this River and the region. • The best time to enjoy boat ride of the Ganges River is from 5:30 AM to 8 AM. This is when the colour and clamour of the place will enthral you. Travellers will be surprised to see that the city is awake and cheery even during 5 in the morning. • Morning experience of the boat ride will leave an indelible imprint on your heart, especially because you will get to see the faith that people have in River Ganges. During the ride, don’t be surprised to see Sadhus and pilgrims bathing and performing prayers in front of you. This entire ride will unfold the religious significance of Varanasi and why River Ganges is revered all over the world. • Mostly, an hour-long boat ride is ideal to give the traveller a taste of what this city has to offer. It usually starts from DasawamedhGhat, goes to the Harishchandra Ghat and then back. In the evening, you can see how women from all over the world light lotus flower candles and set it adrift in water.

11. Kashi- City : Other Things to do in the city of Varanasi as part of Pilgrimage tour: Exploring Ganges and the Ghats • Exploring the Ghats is one of the best things to do in Varanasi. The city has almost a hundred Ghats, the steps of each leading the banks of River Ganges. These are bathing Ghats, praying Ghats and cremation sites for Hindus from all over the world. It makes them alluring and enthralling for a traveller as it is associated with some legend or mythologies • The privately-owned ones here are known for morning boat rides which provide impeccable, panoramic views of the place. Some of the major Ghats that one can visit during their trip to Varanasi includes the Mata AnandamaiGhat, AssiGhat, ManikarnikaGhat, Munshi Ghat, Raj Ghat, DashashwamedhGhat, ScindiaGhat and Raj Ghat. •  Of these, DashashwamedhGhat is perhaps the most popular. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and therefore, its spectacular appearance makes it an enchanting place to visit in Varanasi. The Ghat is associated with two Hindu mythologies. • One of these suggests that this where Lord Brahma welcomed Lord Shiva. The other states the place where Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during a Yajna. Every day, saints here perform Worship to Fire or Agni Pooja, which is a charismatic and spectacular event to watch. • Apart from this, Lalita Ghat is a destination worth visiting. Built by King of Nepal, it is the site of Keshav Temple and a number of local festivals are organized at this place. For cremating electrically, a crematorium has been set in Harishchandra Ghat

12. Kashi- City : Other Things to do in the city of Varanasi as part of Pilgrimage tour: A visit to Sarnath • Said to be the place where Gautam Buddha first taught the Dharma, Sarnath or the deer park has a museum and Buddhist temples built by several Asian countries following their architectural styles. • Extremely peaceful and sublime, Sarnath flaunts world-renowned and ancient structures like The Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Chaukhandi Stupa and Dharmarajika Stupa that are so imposing that they will make your troubles seem inconsequential and at the same time, you will feel strangely relaxed • Just a few kilometres away from Varanasi, is the sleepy village of Singhpur. While Varanasi is a Hindu religious centre, Singhpur’sSarnath is a Buddhist centre of religion • This is where Buddhist Sangha received enlightenment. It is located in Singhpur, known as the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Tirthankara in Jainism • It is where Emperor Ashoka erected a number of stupas and monuments for spreading Buddhism. The crumbling stupas here are a house of relics, manuscripts and fascinating inscriptions that can teach one a lot of Indian history, development of Buddhism • A tour to Sarnath is usually for half a day and starts early in the morning. During the morning, one can revel in the beauty of Chaukhandi Stupa, which is one of the main stupas built by Ashoka after he converted into Buddhism

13. Kashi- City : Other Things to do in the city of Varanasi as part of Pilgrimage tour : Shopping Shopping in Varanasi is the best thing to do on a free afternoon or evening The city is widely famous for its silk saris and ornate jewels. Visit the local market to buy different items of interest. The intricate pattern of floral designs and elaborate zari or thread work saris must be purchased from this beautiful place. The local market here is filled with illustrious fine silk and apart from saris, one can buy shawls, carpets, stone inlay work, bangles and idols of Hindu or Buddhist deities. The main shopping areas to explore in this city include Vishwanath Lane, Thateri Bazaar, Chowk and Godowilia • Shops to purchase Silk Material: • Banaras Handloom House: manufacturer and wholesaler. B-3/336- A Opp Ratnakar Park Shivala, Varanasi: PIN 221001, PH: 0542-2275030 • Nandini Silks • Mehrotra Silk Factory • Address: S.C.21/72, Englishia Line Road, Cantt Rd, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002 • Phone: 089486 00002 You can buy Copper Plated water bottles in these shops and fill Ganga – Jal Copper pots with ganga Jal can also be bought KaalBairav- Idol (Available in KaalBairav Temple shops AnnapooraniMaa: Brass idols

14. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference • Tirunelveli Junction to Chennai Egmore & Return Journey: Nellai Express • Chennai Central to Varanasi junction & Return journey : Ganga kaveri Express Stay at Varanasi : 10 Sep 2018 : 7.30 A.M to 13-Sep 2018 00.15 Hrs • Accommodation at Palace on Ganges : Address: B-1/158, Assighat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, Phone: 0542 231 4304 • Visiting All key places at Kashi – 10th Sep & 11th Sep 2018 – 2 Days • Prayag (Allahabad Triveni Sangam trip from Kashi and back ) -12-Sep – 1 Day

15. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference ( Day 3 of Travel & Day 1 at Kashi) • During time of our visit Ganga Maa was full of water, as it was just after monsoon that we had went and it was raining in catchment areas - The mid of the river bed was running at 70 to 100 ft deep. Some of the steps of the Ghat were immersed. However, near the DashashwamedhGhat  the water was only 6 to 9 feet deep and the small boats were tied up near the Ghat as safety line. We took a good holy dip in the Ganges. We carried small mugs and it was very useful for bathing • Pandits are available near the ghat for people who wish to do Pind-Dhan for their ancestors, near and dear ones who had died in their respective families. Please negotiate the charges for pooja material and brahman-dhan during the rituals before you start. It is left to the individuals on what they like to give as part of brahman-dhan (Ranges from 500 to 2000 RS😊). You can pay some 50 Rs to leave the pind little bit deep in the ganges by getting on to a boat. This will ensure the pind is not left on the shore where people also take bath.Digital instant photographers are available near the place to take some good snaps of your Ganga snan and pind-dhan ritual

16. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference ( Day 3 of Travel & Day 1 at Kashi) Had Good darshan at Durga temple, Hanuman Mandir & Sankatmochan temple • Day 1at Kashi : 10 Sep 2018: 6.00 PM to 8.00 P.M : Ganga Aarti at AssiGhat: 2 Hours • Everyone who visits Kashi must ensure they watch Ganga- Aarti. This happens at all ghats at almost same time. The preparation and actual pooja takes place for 1to 1.5 hours. We were lucky to have the Ganga Aarti at Assi- Ghat which is very adjacent to our hotel. • We can use different type of boat services to see the entire -ganga- aarti sitting on a boat. The boat Is taken little distance inside on the river and stopped at a place opposite to the place where Ganga Aarti is performed. It is a wonderful experience. You can also leave some lighted lamps on the Ganges river • Day 1 winding by 9.00 P.M after dinner at Kerala café- Sleep till 00.30 hrs – 11-Sep-2018 (3.5 hrs) 

17. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference ( Day 4 of Travel & Day 2 at Kashi)- Vishwanath Temple • The temple is way inside a gully (small lane) near Dasaswamedhghat, in Banaras.  • Best time to visit is early morning, before 7 am. You can avoid long queues this time.  • The temple may be visited from two different gates ( 1 & 2). From both gates you need to cross meandering gully to reach the temple. Heavy police security and small shops line the path and will direct you. • No mobile phones, camera, leather wallet, belts, match box, agarbatti, bags etc. allowed. Private lockers are available at shops next to the security gate of the temple. The use of these lockers is free. However, you need to buy pooja samagri (flowers, fruits, milk, sweets etc.) from these shops. You also need to keep your footwear here. Cost 50 to 200 rupees.  • The road to the temple and inside is very slippery, hence take care. Monkeys in the temple can by irritating, hence be careful with your glasses and items.  • There is no need to hire any panda, priest or guide for darshan. In case you wish to have a special pooja, then walk into the temple office and speak to the pujari there. For about 300 rupees you will be seated at a courtyard, within the temple complex and a priest can perform the pooja for you. • Must see the shiv ling inside the garbhagriha. Also, do not miss the solid gold plating if the choora (summit) of the temple donated by Raja Ranjeet singh ji in 1835 • We also bought pooja material – Rs 450 -per set from one of these shops who had helped in buying the Mangala Aarti tickets. It comprises of sweet-box, milk in a vessel container, pooja mala, Vhibuthi-packet – for lord shiva and similar items for Adhi -Vishalakshi temple. Shop Name: BabluKesari – Near Gate No 1, Contact Person: Ritesh : Ph:9140759794

18. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference ( Day 4 of Travel & Day 2 at Kashi) Mangala Aarti: 3 AM to 4 AM : Recommendation for darshan is to go for Mangala Aarti as there is significant benefits attached to it. Autos can go up to narrow lane that is the beginning of the path to Kashi Viswanath temple in the early morning hours. Darshan during Brahma – Muhurta time is considered to be auspicious and most sacred. Early morning hours give a pleasant experience from climate perspective and this adds in getting an enriching darshan experience of Lord Siva. • We assembled near Gate: No 1 by 1.30 A.M. The police security force will be guarding the entrance near the Doondi- Ganesh temple. They allowed people to Viswanath temple after checking the tickets by 2.45 A.M. Once we enter the temple, you can reach the place where main deity is present. • There are four entrance to go inside and worship the Shiva-Linga. Small tables are provided on the four entrance for people to sit and have darshan of the entire Mangala Aarti pooja. Also live coverage of the pooja is provided on digital screen inside the temple premises. We took our due place on one of entrance and watched the pooja that is performed by pandits by sitting in one of the tables. • Once the pooja is over, people have to stand is two queues. They are allowed one by one inside the place where main deity is present. We also stood in one of the queues and did pooja for Shiva -Linga when our turn came. You can touch the sacred Linga by your hand. Only the temple pandits are allowed to enter the karpa-graha in the temples of Tamilnadu/Kerala • Exit Kashi Vishwanath Temple by 4.00 A,M

19. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference ( Day 4 of Travel & Day 2 at Kashi) • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 4.10AM to 5.00 A.M: Adhi Kashi Vishalakshi , Annapoorani temple : • The exit from Kashi Viswanath temple will lead to Adi-Visalakshi temple. Next at a short distance will be Annapoorani temple. We completed the darshan at these temples by 4.55 A.M. The exit is through Gate No 1 • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 4.10AM to 5.00 A.M : Kalabairav darshan: 5.00 A.M to 5.50 A.M. • Kashi visit will not be complete without a darshan of Kaalabairavbagavan. We took auto to go to Kalabairav temple. It is atleast 2 to 2.5 Km from Gate 1 of Kashi Viswanath temple. We stood in the queue for 25 minutes for the opening of main kaalabairav deity for darshan. • There is pandit inside the temple. You can purchase Kashi- Kairu (Black String from him) He also does a simple dishiti-parihar with a stick and water plash and he charges Rs 100 for that. • You can purchase kalabirav idol from the shops near the temple. These are hung at the house entrance or at a location as you enter inside the house facing the main door. The belief is it will act as saviour from all evil things Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 6.00 AM to 7.00 A.M : Tea Break and rest at Hotel.

20. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference ( Day 4 of Travel & Day 2 at Kashi) • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 7.00AM to 8.00 A.M: Banaras University: Viswanath temple & Bharat Mata Temple: • We took Auto to go inside the Banaras Hindu University. It Is a beautiful campus with lot of greenery. There is a nice Viswanath temple that is located inside. We finished the darshan of Viswanath and also visited Bharat Mata temple • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 8.30 AM to 11.50 A.M : Breakfast at Kerala Café and Rest at Hotel. • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 12 .00 PM to 1.00 A.M : Lunch at Kerala Café. • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 1.30 P.M to 4.30 P.M : Shopping at Varanasi • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 4.30 PM to 6.30 P.M : Rest at Hotel • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 6.40 PM to 8.00 A.M : Vishalakshi Darshan • We took the help of Auto & walking to go through the busy lanes of Kashi and reach gate No: 2 of Vishwanath temple. Again, the lanes leading to Visalakshi temple are very narrow from Gate 2 entry point. It took almost 1 hour to for the visit to Visalakshi temple and complete the darshan • Day 2at Kashi : 11 Sep 2018: 8.00 PM to 9.00 A.M : Dinner at Kerala Café and winding up Day 2.

21. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference ( Day 5 of Travel & Day 3 at Kashi- Prayag) • We booked as Innova for travel to Allahabad from Kashi and Back. The four-way lane construction was going on at the time of our visit. It is 125 KM one way from Kashi to Allahabad and took 3 to 3.5 hours to reach Allahabad including a tea break stop on the way. As you enter Allahabad you will cross the Ganges Bridge and also see the newly constructed Yamuna bridge. • Round Trip Journey on 12th Sep 2018 is from 6.00 A.M to 4.00 P.M • Bathing Experience at Triveni sangam • There is lot of encroachment /tents -part time shops at the parking lot at Allahabad. Government can do a better service on the parking place. Some Bio-Toilets can also be built near the parking lot. The path leading to bathing ghat at Triveni Sangam is also very narrow and not well maintained. Somehow, we managed to go through all of this and reach the Ghat.The Ghats at Sangam is not that clean like the ones at Kashi. There are boats that waiting near the ghat to take you to close to Triveni Sangam – place in the river bed where River Ganges – River Yamuna meet and River Saraswathi runs underground. • We took a boat to carry just for 4 of us to sangam. He charged Rs 2000 for taking us to sangam- complete our bathing and then return to the banks. There are boats that carry 20 people on shared basis and it might be cheaper. Both Ganges and Yamuna were running full steam at close to 70-80 feet at the time of our visit. There are no life boats – so watch out and try to be safe during the boat ride. Probably during non-floods time, it may be safer and water may be running at 10 to 12 feet • Near the sangam – you have very good and risky temporary arrangement done to help you complete bathing. There are two boats which are parked 5 feet apart – There is a wooden plate tied for 10 feet length and 6 feet wide between the boats. We need to do some hidden spending in completing the bathing in that place. RS 50 for getting on the temporary bathing ghat at Sangam, 500 Rs to pandit who is sitting in the boat for doing river pooja, 200 RS to the person who will help you in bathing. 50 Rs for Milk/coconut used during pooja • I felt all the risk and expense are worth as we completed the holy dip at Triveni Sangam and return safely to the ghat. You can change your dress at the parking lot. It took almost 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the travel and bathing. We had a brunch in a motel on the way back.

22. Kashi- City : My First Trip to Varanasi : Itinerary for reference: Two Friends Contact details who can be a guide 1. Vikas: Phone Number :9795463868 2. Kishore Phone number : 9838463252 • Lord Shiva’s grace, I got two new friends at Kashi by staying at Palace on Ganges hotel. The Hotel Manager at the reception counter introduced me to them. These two people who drive autorickshaw are available at the stand opposite to the Palace on Ganges hotel- near AssiGhat. • They helped in planning the local travel to different places during our 2 day stay at Kashi with adequate rests between the travels. This helped the everyone to get reenergized. • They did a great service in ensuring we get a good darshan of all necessary places at Kashi during our limited stay. The fares that I paid them was reasonable for the great service that both of them provided. The best tribute to them is my whole-hearted thanks • Vikas: He knows all the places of Kashi and is great guide, but can speak and understand only Hindi. He is a kind and gentle person too and knows all the places of kashi. Phone Number:9795463868 • Kishore: He too knows all the places of Kashi and is very kind and gentle. He speaks Hindi and also good English. According to him he has been guide to many foreigners during their Kashi visit and some of them have him in their friend list and are still in touch with him • They made a significant contribution in making our entire Kashi visit a very good and enriching

23. Kashi Yatra : A must visit in ones life time “AvanArulaleAvanThalPaninthu” We can worship the almighty only through his blessings and grace It is god who gives darshan to us and we need his blessings to worship his feet. Manivakavaskar – Sivapuranam- Thiruvasagam Heartful Thanks to Shiva- We good a great & Enriching experience “NamahParvartiPataye Hare Hare Mahadev” “My salutations to Mahadev - the husband of Parvati” “ Thennadudaya Sivane Potri,  Ennatavarkum Iraiva Potri ” “Lord Shiva has done his most acts of play in south India & He is the god for entire universe ” “OndraeKulamum, Oruvanae Devan” “One Humanaity : One God” Anbe sivam Love is shiva • Namah: salutations • Parvati: Goddess Parvati/Durga • "Pati" is husband, "pataye" means "to the husband“ • Hara = Mahadev(a) = Lord Shiva M. Balasubramanian Thank You Last Updated Year : 2019