Day One - 7th October
The trip started boarding Air India Express and departing at 9.20 from RGAI . Reached L B Shastry International airport, Varanasi at 11 30 am. Moved and checked in G R T MahaLakshmi Annapoorna Chatram Hotel. Had excellent satvic food, offered by a Trust (Hotel bills only room rent).
Around five started for darshan at Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple on adjoining the ghats. Also known as golden temple dedicated to lord Shiva, and one of the 12 Jyothirlinga. Reached via a toto ride, followed by long stretch of walk. Though not a special day, it was quite crowded and took its own time. Darshan was satisfying. Returned back to GRT had dinner and retired for the day.
Day Two - 8th October
Second dat visited Prayagraj, traveled a distance of 125 km by INOVA. It was a great experience of taking a dip in the confluence of Ganga-Jamuna-Saraswati (Guptagamini - Mystic river)) - Triveni Sangam point. We were duly assisted by boatmen at specifi spot for dip. Returned back to GRT by 5.00 pm and stayed back and had dinner.
Day Three - 9th October
On third day in the morning session visited Sri Kashi Vishalakshi Temple, one of the 108 Mata Shaktipeet, returned by for lunch by 1.00 pm.
In the evening attended Ganga Arthi at Dashashwamedh Ghat, quite a grand affair, around 60-70 thousands had gathered. To get a better view were seated at a vantage point on a boat, paying an exorbitant amount of Rs.200 each. A novel experience. Returned by 8.30 p.m. for the day.
Day Four - 10th October
As we had to check out by noon, had no morning session, but for visuting a small temple behind GRT, post lunch left to Varanasi station, putting the luggage in cloak, proceeded to Gaya by Vande Bharath at 3.20 pm. a two hr journey. Had night halt at Kunj Bihari Palace, hotel, GAYAJI nearer to Vishnu Temple. Managed a dinner at a nearby matt, back to hotel.
Day Five - 11th October
Day five started with visit to famous Sri Vishnupad temple at Gayaji, on the banks of Phalgu River, the site where Lord Vishnu killed demon Gayasura. Had a nice darshan at predominant Vishnu shrine. Proceeded to Bodhgaya, a distance of 16 km by an e-riksha. We were lucky to have Bipin Chaubey, auto driver, who narrated the importance of places, being a pravarchan kartha and Brahmin was at his peak singing bhajans althrough. Guided to four important spots at Bodhgaya, close to the banayan tree, where Buddha had enlightenment. A person in monk robe narrated about Buddhism and seven places of his penance and history of the tree which is in its 14th generation. Definitely a quality time was spent at Bodhgaya. Way back had break in a good hotel, Chaubey was extremely happy to be in our company. Returned back to Gaya by 2.00 pm.
Left Gaya back to Varanasi by Vande Bharath at 7.20 pm and reached by 9.30 pm. Checked into Alokha Kashi Hotel, for next two days stay. (GRT does not entertain for more than three days, and subsequently only after month)
Day Six - 12th October
The day started with visit to Assi ghat, walking via Harishchandra ghat a long stretch. Returned back to Alokha Kashi for lunch. Courtesy, hotel management direction, went for a brief shopping. Guided by the salesman visited Saranganath temple, (Lord of deers) which houses two Lingas, established by sage Saranga and another bu Adi Guru Shankaracharya, adjoining to the temple is Saranga Nath kund. Surrounded by buddhist & deer park.
In the evening visited Sri Sankata Mochana Hanuman Temple, a Swayambhu, where Hanuman blessed Sri Tulasidasji. Sri Rama, Sita & Lakshmana are placed on the opposite side of Hanuman. About 10 km from Alokha Kashi
Had dinner at good restaurant and reached Alokha Kashi
Day Seven - 13th October
Day started with Darshan at famous Kalabhairava temple and also Vishalakshi temple again on the way, in the morning session. Returned back for lunch, the next hop was to visit BHU.
Highlight of the day was meeting Prof SC Lakhotia at BHU, a lifetime professor at 80. He is a noted cytogeneticist, who had visited our lab in 1975, quality of work very high. Recaptulating his visit and discussing our researchers then was hallmark. Was pleasure to have a click with him in his lab, meeting after 50 years
Day Eight - 14th October
Departure to Ayodhya by Vande Bharath from Varanasi at 9.00 am. Reaching Ayodhya around noon had our lunch and checked into Panchsheel Hotel. Engaging an auto left for Ramar Darshanam, on the way saw the newly inaugurated statute of Saints Purandardasa, & Tyagaraja and Sri Arunachala Kavi, on 6th October. We were fortunate at Sri Rama Temple, a straight entry sans any crowd. Had a nice darshan of the lord and grdenuar of the environs and mandap. Absolutely no rush. Still the work continues around. Later visited Hanuman Ghadi and large statue of Hanuman, briefly witnessed the arathi on the banks of river Saryu at 6.30 pm. Way back we had darshan of the tribute to Lataji's by way of large Veena, with background score of her songs.
Day Nine - 15th October
We were lucky to (unscheduled) visit to Naimisharanya, courtesy driver Dinesh Singh, of Inova. Started our journey of 220 km at 5.45 am. Had pleasant Darshan of various points like Srinivasa temple, Vishnu temple, Chakratheeratham, Lalithadevi temple, Vyasgaddi. It is the spot where Bhagavatam was recited to Parikshit Maharaj by Sage Shukamaha muni, during last seven days of Parikshit. These are well described by Swamy Sundar Chaitanya, Sri Changanti Koteswar Rao or Garkipati in there discourses. They periodically stay for long periods narrating it. Having a quick lunch at a hotel returned back by 5.45 to Panchsheel Hotel.
Day 10 - 16th October
Having satisfactory darshans, started by the same vehicle at 3.00 am from Ayodhya to Lucknow a 125 km journey to Chaudhary Charan Sing International Airport and boarded 9.20 am flight to Hyderabad and safely were at home by 12.00 noon.
Reached home safely with excellent & successful 10-day trip, visiting Varanasi, Pryagraj, Gaya, Ayodhya & Naimisharanya
All the credits to scheduling and making the necessary booking to Dr. VAIDYANADHAN, Ex-AGM RBI, Class fellow from 1963 to 1966.
