“Raand, Saand, Seedhi, Sanyasi, inse bacche to sevai Kashi.”

Widows, bulls, stairs, saints, save us from them so that we can reach Kashi.

“Samay aaega mahashamsaan jaane ka, jahan 24 ghante chitain jalti rehti hain, iss ghaat ke baare mein yeh kaha jata hai ki Bhagwan Shiv yahaan khud aatmaon ko moksh ka raasta dikhate hain.”

The time will come when you must face the great cremation ground, where the flames burn continuously, 24 hours a day. It is said that at this ghat, Lord Shiva himself shows the souls the path to salvation.

“Manikarnika ki galiyon mein kuch ajeeb sa mehsoos hota hai, jaise kisi ne seene pe kuch bhaari sa rakh diya ho; har 5 minute mein ek naya shav ghat pe jaata hai. Jab body chita pe jalte dekhoge, toh dekhte hi reh jaaoge.”

There is something strange in the lanes of Manikarnika, as if someone has placed a heavy burden on your chest. Every 5 minutes, a new body is brought to the ghat. When you see the body burning on the pyre, you can’t help but watch, lost in the moment.

“Zindagi kya hai, yeh aapko yahin aa ke pata chalega, saare sawaalon ki parte yahaan khulenge; aapki aankhon ke saamne. Aapka dil aapko baar-baar yeh bolega ki ek din aapko yahaan aana hai.”

What is life? You will only understand here, at this very place. All the layers of your questions will unfold before your eyes. Your heart will tell you, over and over again, that one day, you too will have to come here.

⁃ Richa Mehndiratta