Recommend July 2011 - (Page 15)

Opposite page and below: Taj Hotels, including the Taj Exotica in Goa, offer Jiva Spa Yoga Retreats. in Varanasi; Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace and the Taj Gateway in Agra. Trehan adds that a popular misconception is that India is the exclusive repository of Hindu spirituality. “Part of what makes India so unique is that it is a melting pot for most of the world’s major religions,” he continues. “But while there’s no doubt that Hinduism is the primary and dominant religion, other religions are widely practiced, and their devotees are an integral part of India. India is the birthplace of Buddhism and of religions such as Sikhism and Jainism. Yet, everywhere you go you’ll see mosques, Hindu temples, Christian churches and Buddhist shrines co-existing next to one another.” While spiritual travel in India is as varied as its culture, most experts agree that any spiritual exploration begins at Varanasi (also called Benaras), the city Trehan calls “the epicenter of Hinduism and the religion’s holiest city.” It has a recorded history reaching back more than 5,000 years. On the surface, it is a frenzied, ancient, dog-eared sprawl on the banks of the Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh, but its intensity makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone, spiritual seekers or not, interested in experiencing firsthand the magic that is India. Although presently there are no airlines offering service to Varanasi, Air India, Jet Airways and SpiceJet connect it to major Indian cities. Adventurous travelers also have the more exotic choice of reaching the city by rail. The Rajdhani Express from Delhi or Kolkata has multiple daily arrivals and departures while offering the singular thrill of experiencing one of Asia’s legendary rail journeys. The caveat is that Indian trains are usually very crowded and booked weeks in advance. To facilitate travel, visitors should purchase an IndRail pass (most Western travelers prefer a 15-day pass valid for travel on air-conditioned railcars and costing about $150) available in three classes and applicable for up to three months. Regardless on the method of arrival, Westerners generally discover that Varanasi stuns. For Hindus, it is the city of Shiva, the god of yoga, creation and destruction. It’s also a short distance from Gaya and Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his last sermon. People from all over come here to study Sanskrit, Vedanta yoga, music and meditation. A singular Varanasi experience is an early morning boat journey on the Ganges, where Hindu tradition says that anyone bathing in the muddy, contaminated water will be cleansed of all sin. The monotone chants of holy men fill the air, and funeral pyres blazing on the banks are common. It’s not to be missed. “Almost all our clients booking a tour to North India and Nepal wish to visit Varanasi,” says Hima Singh, president of Asian Pacific Adventures. Some are hesitant when hearing about the very crowded city that is the ultimate cremation site for Hindus looking for salvation. But after I tell them that it is a place not to be missed, they agree to visit Varanasi and the positive response is almost unanimous.” Varanasi is also the world capital for Benarasi silks, striking fabric embroidered with gold thread and home to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the golden-domed Hindu cremation site, where Hindus believe that reincarnation inevitably follows death. More scholastic-oriented travelers can also visit Banaras Hindu University, the study center to Sankrist scholars. Asian-Pacific Adventures arranges lectures and spiritual discussions at the university for interested clients. Many Asian-Pacific Adventures custom tours run from $250 to $300 per day pp dbl. Some of the tours also include air travel within India, group transport and accommodations in the best available hotels. For a city that prides itself in its rich history, Varanasi is teeming with modern hotels. The Radisson Hotel Varanasi, about five minutes removed from the central rail station, sits in the heart of the old city. It offers many facilities difficult to find in the area, with 116 rooms and suites boasting all modern conveniences. The spa is a delight, with a menu of exotic Indian treatments that soothe both body and mind. Rates range from about $140 per night, dbl, for a business-class room, to about $250 for a 1-bedroom suite. The HHI Varanasi is another pleasant luxurious property also in the center of the city. Its 98 modern and airy rooms are specifically designed to make travelers forget the fatigue induced by long journeys. It is trimmed with stone and sculptures, while the lobby is domi- ÍÍ july 2011 15

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend July 2011

Editor's Notes
Design Hotels
Gap Adventures
Spiritual India
Experiencing the Not-So Familiar Vietnam
Sailing the Seas
New World Adventures in Food
Little Whale Cay, The Bahamas
Into the National Parks
Journeys Beyond the Ordinary
Heritage Tours to Europe
Grand Solmar at Land's End Resort & Spa

Recommend July 2011