Dipping My Toe into the Sacred: A Journey to Varanasi, India
There are places that live in our imagination long before we ever set foot on their soil. For me, Varanasi was one of them. The mystique of India—its colors, contradictions, deep spirituality, and the timeless pull of the Ganges—had long whispered to me. So, when the opportunity came to visit, I didn't hesitate, even though it was August and the height of the monsoon season. The rain was no deterrent. Varanasi was only an hour and fifteen minutes by flight from Delhi, but the journey I embarked on was far deeper, inward, and ancient.
The Pull of the Ganges
I’ve always felt drawn to water, but the Ganges is no ordinary river. For Hindus, it is a sacred lifeline—a place of purification, of pilgrimage, of profound transformation. Varanasi, perched on its banks, is one of the oldest cities in the world. It’s also one of the holiest. Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi or having one's ashes scattered in the Ganges can break the cycle of rebirth and lead to Moksha.
Moksha, in Hinduism, is the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth—samsara. It is the ultimate spiritual goal: freedom from worldly suffering and union with the divine.
As someone raised Catholic but who has appreciated the teachings of many faiths throughout my life, I approached my three days in Varanasi not just as a traveler, but as a seeker. It felt like a mini pilgrimage through both Hinduism and Buddhism, offering quiet reflection and wonderment at every turn.
A Sacred Encounter: Aarti at the Ganges
One late afternoon, my private guide led me through winding streets, alongside a river of people—many dressed in vivid orange, a color symbolizing renunciation and spirituality. We walked toward the banks of the Ganges to witness the Aarti ceremony; a sacred ritual of light offered to the river.
As we rounded the corner and I caught my first real glimpse of the Ganges, I stopped in my tracks. I could feel an energy surge, andI stood breathless, teary-eyed, and deeply moved. In that moment, I was alone among thousands. I could feel the power of their beliefs—their faith, their longing, their surrender. I looked to the heavens and whispered a quiet thank you.
The riverbank was overflowing with people awaiting the evening Aarti ceremony, which is normally performed by Hindu monks from boats on the river, offering flames, incense, and chanting to honor the goddess Ganga. But that evening, I was blessed to be invited to participate in lighting candles as part of the ritual. Rain fell gently, unnoticed by all. Even the flickering candle flames seemed untouched. The rhythm of the chanting, the sway of the monks’ lamps, the shimmer of lights on the water—it was breathtaking.
Aarti is a Hindu devotional ritual in which light (usually from a flame) is offered to deities. In Varanasi, the evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is a powerful expression of gratitude to the river goddess, and a moment where the spiritual and physical worlds intertwine. It is not just seen—it is felt.
Walking with the Buddha
The next day brought a quieter reverence. I visited Sarnath, where it is believed that Gautama Buddha, founder of the Buddhism, gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Dhamek Stupa rises from serene grounds, inviting contemplation.
There, I realized the difference between walking through ancient spaces as a tourist and experiencing them as a pilgrim. When we allow our imaginations to bridge time, the stone and soil become more than relics—they become echoes. I could see monks of old, seated beneath trees, exchanging teachings that would travel through history. It was a space of legacy, of practice, of hope.
A Sacred Ashram and the Pursuit of Moksha
Later, my guide took me to a deeply spiritual ashram. This was not a tourist stop—it was a living place of devotion. Here, Hindu monks who had renounced all worldly possessions lived in pursuit of Moksha. It was also a place where people, who were preparing for their final transition, came to die in the sacred city. Others were young men, training in the rituals and responsibilities of the Hindu monastic life.
I sat with a monk who had once held a senior military post but chose to walk away from it all in search of spiritual truth. Our conversation moved from the personal to the philosophical to the geopolitical. His insights into the current world order—viewed through the lens of both a warrior and a monk—offered me a rare and profound perspective.
Around us, the sick and the elderly waited in quiet dignity. Their presence reminded me of the thin veil between this life and the next, and how sacred it is to prepare for what comes after with peace, purpose, and faith.
Fellowship in Service: A Rotary Exchange
On my final evening before returning to Delhi to begin my journey through the Golden Ring of the Maharajahs, I was invited to a Rotary flag exchange dinner. As a proud member of the Rotary Club of Washington, D.C. since 1997, I brought our club’s flag to exchange.
I expected a small gathering but was instead welcomed by over 40 Rotarians and their families. We exchanged flags, shared stories, and most memorably, shared food. Each had brought a favorite Indian dish to the table. The atmosphere was rich with hospitality, laughter, and connection.
Rotary International is a global network of volunteers and professionals dedicated to service above self. Through grassroots initiatives, we work to bridge communities, eradicate polio, provide clean water, support education, and promote peace. Flag exchanges are symbolic gestures of friendship, trust, and international understanding.
That evening, I felt the same energy I had felt on my first night by the Ganges—the power of shared humanity, of connection across language, faith, and geography. It was a closing circle. I had come to witness devotion, and I left having experienced it through the generosity of others.
Parting Thoughts
We often travel in search of something, whether it be relaxation, knowledge, cultural exchange, personal fulfillment, or enlightenment. In Varanasi, I found a little bit of everything—not just in the rituals, or the river, or the holy sites, but in the people. In the way they live their beliefs with humility, intensity, and grace.
I dipped my toe in the sacred Ganges, but more than that, I dipped my spirit into the soul of a place that has carried seekers for millennia.
Travel Tips
Consider Varanasi as an add-on to a trip to India
Consider a private guide
It is important that your interests and the knowledge of your guide intersect well.
—Heartfelt gratitude to our outstanding local partner Ventours International Travel in India, whose impeccable attention to detail, deep cultural insight, and warm hospitality transformed every moment into a meaningful encounter
