Kasi Yaathirai

It was a long pending wish. It was less than 24 hrs journey. Many times we had been invited to visit, since 2001. Yet it took close to 5 full years for us to finally fulfil the wishes. This one is for real and not like every bridegroom set out on a short trip as in our marriages.

I am making an attempt to cover our trip to Kasi, which will be purely my perception as the way we have seen it. Many in our family / friends have visited earlier or later. By going through the narration, they can associate themselves and jog their lovely memories and experiences. If they can do so, I shall treat it as a small success. Similarly, for those who have not been to Kasi, if they can visualise, I may take small happiness that I created an urge in them to visit Kasi.

As far every Hindu, it is told that one has to visit Kasi and Rameswaram once in their life time. Thus, I have visited Kasi and yet to explore Rameswaram.I am covering the trip in parts so that one does not get bored and does not lose interest. I have read travelogues and more specifically by Mr. Bharanidharan. I think, he used to write in Ananda Vikatan. I have taken inspiration from him to make an attempt. So we move on......

On 24 Dec 2005, we set out on a journey to Kasi from "City Beautiful". Vaishali made arrangements for food and other things after coming from school at 1330 hrs. Idli, chutney, tamarind rice, curd rice, Fried rice, potato chips were ready and packed to last the entire journey.We had our reservations by Himalayan Queen Exp at 1735 hrs from Chandigarh to Ambala. We reached Ambala at 1825 hrs.

Our next train from Amabala to Varanasi was at 2300 hrs (Amritsar – Varanasi mail). So we had to wait for almost 5 ½ hrs in waiting hall. While I and Vishnu were walking length and breadth of the platform, watching trains come and go, Vaishali was relaxing in the waiting room. We had our dinner at 2030 hrs. The train was late by 30 min and it departed Ambala at 2330 hrs.

We reached Kasi at 1830 hrs, late by 2 hrs. Vaishali's Cousin and his friend came to railway station to receive us. We had our dinner and rested for the day after a tiring journey. The only surprising thing that the winter was very less compared to Chandigarh.............

To be continued.......