Benares – A Haven for the Western Spiritual Seeker

– September 1, 2008Posted in: Lifestyle

Varanasi A Haven for the Western Spiritual Seeker

Varanasi also known as Benares in northern India is the place for Yoga lovers and spiritual seekers. It, being the oldest living city in the world, has much to offer in the way of spiritual bliss and mysticism. The sacred Ganges river that flows through the city is considered to be a place where one can wash away one’s sins according to Hindu religious belief. Popularly known as cultural center of India, it is famous for its trade and commerce and brocade silks.

For the regular tourist, Benares has much to offer in the way of music and dance. Ravi Shankar, the renowned sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, well known shenai player are from this city. It is great center of learning. Apart from dance and music, the tourist can go in search of yogic bliss.

Banares for the spiritual seeker

For the yoga seeker, Banares has much to offer. Many of the well known spiritual gurus of India have pursued their religious awakening in Benares. Gurus like Swami Sivananda have spent time in Benares and then traveled towards north of the Himalayas to places such as Rishi Kesh.

Varanasi banaras The ashrams and the Ghats in Banares turn out to be a good haven for spiritual seekers- those in search of eternal happiness. The yoga lover can undergo rigorous asnas under the guidance of experts. On the ghats of the Ganges river one can come across spiritual gurus dressed in saffron clothes in search of salvation. The serene atmosphere and the gushing waters makes one feel that they are in a world where desires can be overcome to attain peace of mind.

Foreigners come here in search of religious ecstasy. India, for them, is a place where they can get away from their material pursuits and submerge themselves in spiritual awakening. Benares, of course, being a spiritual learning center has much to offer to the tourist, who is in search of answers to his or her questions about the ways of the world and its impact on our being.

Well, why not make a trip to Benares and experience the mysticism of the East. For a yoga lover, it is a visit worth the effort. Gurus, ashrams, pundits (religious preachers) may be the answer to their stressful lives.