Viewing the Ghats from a boat on the Ganges, especially at sunrise, is an unforgettable experience! They offer a panoramic view of the various early morning activities - from ablution to workout - of a multitude of people, for whom the river is the be all and end all of life. It's also a pleasure to walk down the entire stretch of the Ghats along the Ganges. Here people consult the astrologers under their palm leaf parasols, buy offerings for rituals, sell silk apparels and brassware, or just gaze at the faraway horizon where the mighty river meets the heavens.
Migratory birds from parts of Europe and Central Asia annually arrive at the banks of Ganges River in Varanasi attracting the attention of residents and tourists alike.
Migratory birds throng banks in the month of November and December as their sounds add a distinct presence at the holy river.
These birds thrive in the temperate summers of central Asia's Pamir Mountains and fly down to India to escape the bitter cold winters of the region.
"These birds arrive at the onset of the winter season, and are very attractive. They leave after the winter months. They come and go every year and increase the beauty of the ancient river banks of Varanasi," said Jeet Kumar, an avid bird watcher.
The birds also bring better earnings for boatmen at the 'ghats' who take the tourists closer to the birds to get a better glimpse.
"Tourists come and take boats to the river. They like what they see. Bird feed is sold on the boats, they buy it and feed the birds," said Shambhu, a resident.
India boasts of a diverse presence of birds with the total number of recorded species exceeding 1300.
80 species are migratory and throng many sites across the country during the winter, which is quite temperate compared to the harsh cold of their native regions.
Tripura Bhairavi Ghat", is a sacred spot for South Indian pilgrims particularly for those coming from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Ram bhavan present on this ghat is a free house of south Indian pilgrims. Mir Ghat is adjacent to it. This ghat is named after the Tripura Bhairavi Shrine, a female partner of Tripureswar whose image also exists there. Another important shrine is of Varahi Devi, one of the eight mother-goddesses. In late eighteenth century king of Benares and pandit Mayananda Giri had patronize to make this ghat perfect.
Shool Tankeshwar is located at Dasaswamedh Ghat steps. People can reach Dasaswamedh by rickshaw and climb down the steps towards the Ghat. The temple is quite famous, also known as Bada Ling.
Makar Sankranti is the only Hindu festival which is based on the Solar calendar rather than the Lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated by taking dips in the Ganga or any river and offering water to the Sun god. The dip is said to purify the self and bestow punya. Special puja is offered as a thanks giving for good harvest.
Since the festival is celebrated in the mid winter, the food prepared for this festival are such that they keep the body warm and give high energy. Laddu of til made with Jaggery (Gur) is specialty of the festival.In Maharshtra it is called 'Tilgul', but the place where it is celebrated with much pomp is Andhra Pradesh, where the festival is celebrated for 3 days and is more of a cultural festival unlike an auspicious day as in other parts of india.
