Are the stories true?

wilmaaa

I'm going for my first time too and I've read all the good and bad reviews. I can't say I'm not nervous. I'm bringing children and really don't want them sick because of a decision I've made. I think I know what we're in for but I probably don't. Still I don't see that as any reason not to go. You can sit and home and wonder forever, but there's only one way to find out.........Varanasi here we come!

SteveK

I'm planning to go to Varanasi when I'm in India next year. I expect lots of little alleyways with cows shambling about, people bathing in a river that's not recommended drinking and a whole lot more. If I wanted artificial attractions and a stay in a Holiday Inn, I'd go to Disneyland.

As far as food goes, maybe I just won't eat for a couple of days - I'm told it's all the rage in some parts of the world.

__________________
'The journey is the reward.' - Chinese proverb

Paleface

Do a Ringo! Bring your own baked beans.

Paleface

Feeling that way too, 'specially since Muni ji started the choreographed arti which can't be participated in, and defaced the ghat by sticking in all those poles and flags with the Parmath promotion.

Rupse

India is all about having new experiences in new places. Where is your sense of adventure? You will either like the place or you won't.

If you like it then you have come up trumps. If you don't like it then you will have at least one descent story to tell your mates when you return (smelly cows, dirty streets, no descent shopping mall...).

The odds are 50/50 Rezibrok. Still unsure? Toss a coin

Brisso

Make sure your insurance includes repatraition and funeral ...

edwardseco

People who have deeper interests in culture will get a lot out of Kashi. Other people will just read the book recommended by Darmabum (fascinating) and move to where there is more interesting architecture. If the OP isn't deep in Indian culture, as I suspect, he should give it a skip. Like almost all pilgrimage towns (Haridwar), its dirty, crowded, and abundantly supplied with touts. You can get cheaper charras elsewhere and there is no beach..







This thread reminds me of an old joke, a man runs out of gas in the desert after driving past a gas station. Walking back he worries that the gas station atttendant won't loan him a gas can. Striding into the gas station he shouts, keep your @#$% gas can!

Darmabum

And that book is "Banaras - City of Light", by Diana Eck. Probably not literary fare for anyone contemplating whether to go to Varanasi or not; gotta be a fan to read over 300 pages on Varanasi only. As edwarseco suggests, not the town for architecture; there is nothing over 200-300 years old standing. It is simply one of the oldest continually lived in cities in the world; and perhaps the only one that still spins on the same axis that it did over 3000 years ago.

But edward, there IS a beach there . . . last time there (monsoon, 2006) a woman in my guesthouse and a few friends actually donned bikinis, lathered up with SPF 40, and headed for the other side of the river, across from Asi Ghat and sunbathed. That trip, by the way, was the same one that I saw a windsurfer on the Ganges. I have not been back since.

__________________
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

Dom

My son had food poisoning in Brisbane, you can get sick in any part of the world if you have bad luck. Just try to to roll around the streets of Varanasi and use common sense when eating. Eat in an hygenic place and only have bottled water.

edwardseco

Well that I didn't read in the Eck book which I also highly recommend. It does explain why the buildings are sadly only several centuries old.

This is best justification I have come across to visit Varanasi..

edwardseco

Maybe a bit rabid but I did that once on a long train journey where no meals came through. Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) and they have heaters..

kalbarri

nothing like a good splash in the ganges. watch out for the floating dead bodies, though
i loooovvvved varanasi

SitaParityaga

OK folks, I just got back from a trip to Varanasi and Haridwar. I visited both places 20 years ago, and loved them so much I vowed I would return again.

Varanasi is an incredibly old city: speaking to the area of Varanasi on the Ganges.

If you are the type of person who cannot handle stepping over excrement, Varanasi is not the place for you. The "gems" of the Varanasi experience is all about humanity and spirituality If you cannot raise your vision above the "dirt", think of other places in India to visit. Its a big country, you've got lots of options!

Now I'm not a lover of excrement, but to me, Varanasi is still a "get real" place to visit. I love it as much now as I did when I visited the first time. And I got sick there, after numerous visits to India without ever getting sick, I did break my record! Just a routine case of "food poisoning" after I let my discipline down...so lets talk about discipline.

Listen up. Food poisoning can happen anywhere, anytime. Its especially worrisome when it involves children, the elderly and immune compromised individuals. If you are in one of these categories, you really need to do some self reflection. SELF REFLECTION. Do it. IM cannot do it for you, OK?

SO...lets try and get the "odds" in your favor. Follow all the rules already spoken to on IndiaMIke, read up on old threads on the topic: knowledge is power! Please, get informed. Be brave, but don't be stupid. You are responsible for the decisions you make, so get informed, do some realistic self examination, and make your plans.

Next, if you want to minimize your risk, and you're in the Godalla area, stick to eateries that cater to Western visitors. There are many along Bengali Tola where many of the tourist guest lodges are. I cannot speak to the Cantonement area, as I have not stayed there and not familiar with the food there.

debandpat123

hey all.. don't have time to read the book before i go, so can you please tell me WHY the architecture is only 300 years old? thanks and peace, deb

SitaParityaga

Because this city is SO OLD, its actually built on top of the ancient buildings.