By Sonali Sihi
Contempory Abstract Artist | Painter I Travel Storyteller | Visual Creator | Writer | Photographer | YouTube Creator | Founder, Paint My Journeys.
"Time doesn't move in Banaras; it gets lost in meditation." “बनारस में समय चलता नहीं, ध्यान में खो जाता है।”
There are journeys you plan with a map, and then there are journeys where the soul takes the lead. Packed with a bundle of colors, a pouch of well-worn brushes, and a heart brimming with unsaid stories, I set out not just to explore a city, but to find myself.
Banaras (Kashi) is not merely my travel destination—it is my birthplace, the sanctuary of my childhood memories, and a timeless muse that never truly lets you go. Returning here with my camera and canvas felt like coming home to a realm where faith, art, and memory intertwine.
Here is a glimpse into my soul-searching expedition through the eternal city, designed as an artistic walk through its sacred lanes, forgotten heritage, and vibrant pulse.
1. Whispers of Antiquity & Forgotten Temples
Every pebble in Banaras echoes the presence of Lord Shiva, yet Kashi holds secrets beyond the famous spires.
Standing before the 9-degree tilt of Ratneshwar Mahadev (The Tilted Temple) right next to the pyres of Manikarnika Ghat, I felt time pause. Manikarnika doesn’t just burn wood; it consumes ego, attachment, and human illusion, reducing our superficial worldly cares to quiet ashes.
My journey began not with the grand morning rush, but in the quiet serenity of Adi Keshava Temple at Rajghat—the confluence of the Ganga and Varuna rivers. According to the Skanda Purana, the idol of Adi Keshava was sculpted by Lord Vishnu’s own hands.
Further into the hidden quarters lies the 200-year-old Kashi Raj Kali Temple. Disguised as an unassuming door of an ancient haveli, stepping inside reveals a magnificent sanctuary of stillness—proving that divinity isn’t always in loudness; sometimes, it speaks in the deepest silence.
2. Nostalgia in the Bylanes & Literary Shadows
To know Kashi, you must get lost in its maze of winding bylanes (galiyan). Here, behind crumbling archways and ancient courtyards, history whispers its untold tales.
Standing outside Vasanta College, holding back tears, I remembered a younger version of myself—bag in hand, terrified of missing class. Decades have passed, yet the gate stands unchanged, holding my youth in its shadow.
Walking further, I paused at the ancestral mansion of Bharatendu Harishchandra, the father of modern Hindi literature. Though time has etched deep lines upon its weathered walls, his creative essence lives and breathes in every quiet corner.
3. Weaving Threads of Eternity: Artisans of Banaras
As an artist, nothing moved me more than witnessing pure human devotion transformed into art
I had the privilege of sitting alongside master artisan Sri Ramlakhan, who demonstrated how paper designs are painstakingly punched into wooden Jacquard cards. On the traditional handloom, as the shuttle (bana) travels rhythmically across the warp threads (tana), 108 individual threads of pure silk merge into a single story.
A Banarasi saree is never just a piece of fabric—it is an embodiment of patience, love, and living heritage.
4. The Culinary Canvas of Banaras
An artist’s journey in Kashi is incomplete without savoring its rich palette of traditional flavors.
Morning Energy: Hot, flaky Kachoris served with spicy potato curry as the city awakens.
Midday Refreshment: Chilled Am Panna or a tall earthen Kulhad of creamy Banarasi Lassi topped with thick malai.
Street Treats: Crisp Tamatar Chaat at Kashi Chaat Bhandar, piping hot Samosas with earthen-cup Kulhad Chai at Ram Bhandar, and sweet Lal Peda, Balushahi, and Parwal Sweets along Vishwanath Gali.
The Final Touch: A fragrant Banarasi Paan Gilori stuffed with sweet spices, leaving a lingering sweetness on the palate.
5. Twilight on the Ghats & The Artist’s Awakening
As dusk settles over Kashi, the skies turn into a canvas of soft indigo and burnt orange.
Sitting on the ancient stone steps of Chet Singh Ghat, watching the changing colors reflect upon Mother Ganga’s ripples, every doubt and noise inside my mind dissolved into quiet peace. Nearby, an elderly street painter sat with his canvases spread out. In his eyes and line work, I saw raw dignity, struggle, and an undying love for creation.
Banaras reminded me that heritage isn’t something preserved in a dusty museum—it is lived, breathed, and painted anew by every generation in their own vibe.
📸 Connect & Watch the Full Journey
Experience the visual poetry, actual voiceovers, and step-by-step vlogs of this soul-searching travel series across all platform channels:
▶️ YouTube Channel: @PaintMyJourneys
📸 Instagram Updates: @paintmyjourneys.official
🌐 Blog & Art Gallery: paintmyjourneys.com
Have you ever visited a place that felt like meeting a part of yourself? Share your travel stories in the comments below!