Varanasi Trip

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 free food, offered by a Trust (Hotel bills only room rent).

Around five started for darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple Adjoining the ghats. 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

Day Two - 8th October 

The second we visited PPrayagraj, traveled a distance of 125 km by INOVA. It was a great experience of taking a dip in the confluence of Ganga-Jamuna-Saraswati (Guptagsmini - Mystic river)) -  Trivenk Sangam point. We were duly assisted by boatmen at specifi spot for dip. Returned back to GRT by 5.00 pm and stayed back had dinner and retired.

Day Three - 9th October 

On third day in the morning session we visited Kashi Vishalakshi Temple, one of the 108 Mata Shaktipeet, returned by for lunch.

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 poinge on a boat, paying and exorbitant amount of Rs.200 each. A nevel experience. Returned back by 8.30 p.m. had dinner and retired.

Day Four - 10th October 

As we had to check out by noon had no morning session, but for a small temple behind GRT, had breakfast and 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, GAYA  nearer to Vishnu Temple. Had dinner in a nearby matt, back to hotel.

Day Five - 11th October  

On day five started with visit to famous Vishnupad temple at Gayaji, on the banks of Phalgu River, the site where Lord Vishnu killed demon Gayasura. Had a nice darshan. We proceeded to Bodhgaya, at 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. He showed four important spots at Bodhgaya. Close to the banaya tree where Buddha had enlightenment, a monk  in 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 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 

Early hrs visited Assi ghat. Then we visited Sri Sankata Mochana Hanuman temple afternoon. He is Swayambhu, where Hanuman blessed Sri Tulasidasji.🙏Sri Rama, Sita & Lakshmana on the opposite side of Hanuman🙏. 

Vjsited Saranganath temple , which houses two Lingas, one of Shiva and another his sala (bil) Saranganath.

Day Seven  - 13th October 

Highlight of the day was meeting Prof SC Lakhotia at BHU, now a lifetime professor at 80. He is noted as a cytogeneticist who visited our lab in 1975, quality of work very high. Recaptulating his visit and our researchers then was hallmark. This is in his lab meeting after 50 years

had Darshan at Kalabhairava temple and also Vishalakshi temple again on the way, in the morning.

Day Eight  - 14th October 

To Ayodhya - just returned having darshan at main Rama Temple, then Hanuman Ghadi and Big Hanuman Statue. Briefly witnessed Arathi at Sarayu river at Ayodhya at 6.30 pm.

Day Nine - 15th October 

Just returned from Naimisharanya and had pleasant Darshan, around 220 km from here, started at 5.45 am and back by 5.45 pm exact, by Inova.

Day 10 - 16th October 

Reached home safely with excellent & successful 10-day trip, visiting Varanasi, Pryagraj, Gaya, Ayodhya & Naimisharanya