On my way to Varanasi, I saw this amazing sunset from the window seat of the aircraft. This color from the Sun, what I realized by the end of my stay, pretty much defined what Varanasi is all about. It’s the color of the sannyasi, who casts his body into a metaphorical fire by wearing similarly colored robes that signifies purification of the body and mind through fire.
The color of Varanasi takes on a new meaning when you consider that in Rigveda, Varanasi is referred to as Kashi, literally meaning “the city that manifested from light” (kāśayati prakāśayati iti kāśi). One who has the patience to look through the rampant commercialization of Varanasi will see the true color of Kashi.
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