Discover Varanasi Through the Lens of BHU Scholars – A Heritage Journey
At Indeel Travel, our aim is simple: we provide more than sightseeing—we create immersive stories, deepen personal connections, and leave you with lasting memories long after you return home.
In a city as ancient as Varanasi, every step carries history. Guided by expertise passed down from BHU scholars, your journey will be both authentic and enlightening. Here’s how:
🧭 Meet the Master Mentors Behind Our Tours
Prof. P. B. Rana – The Heritage Geographer
A former Professor of Cultural Geography and Heritage Studies at BHU, Prof. Rana is revered for his deep research on Varanasi’s sacred landscape. With over 11 authored books and 154 academic papers on Kashi, he shaped generations of scholars.
Field Story:
At the break of dawn near Manas Mandir, Prof. Rana once guided me through the temple’s cosmic geometry. He showed how its layout echoes the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, ether—forming a living mandala. That morning, as mist hovered over the Ganges, he explained how ancient builders wove spiritual meaning into stone. Now, those insights form the core of every tour I design, creating each step as a moment of connection.
Dr. Praveen Singh Rana – The Tourism Innovator
Dr. Rana, a faculty member in Travel and Tourism at BHU, holds a PhD in pilgrimage and ecotourism. His work focuses on integrating heritage preservation with sustainable tourism development.
Touring Moment:
On a dawn boat ride down Assi Ghat, he narrated how pilgrimage rituals support local livelihoods—boatmen, flower vendors, pujaries. Since then, each itinerary has included eco-conscious choices: visits to NGOs, meals at family-run eateries, and respectful engagement with local caretakers. You won't just witness Varanasi—you’ll contribute to its well-being.
Prof. Jyoti Rohilla Rana – The Temple Art Authority
As a distinguished scholar in Art History and Conservation, Prof. Rohilla Rana has opened eyes to the subtle artistry that defines Varanasi’s temples and monuments.
Visual Storytelling:
In the shade of an Annapurna Temple archway, she paused to point out nuances in carving styles—from the curvature of lotus petals to the positioning of offering bowls. She revealed how even a tiny carved rice grain speaks of centuries-old traditions of devotion. Now, I share these stories, helping you notice beauty hidden in plain sight.
🏛️ Transforming Learning into Experience
1. Exploring the Spiritual Pulse
With Prof. Rana’s guidance on cultural geography, I lead tours along Varanasi’s “cosmic pathways”—routes that echo spiritual symbolism. From the central Jnanvapi axis to lesser-known pilgrim circuits, these pathways mirror a journey of body to cosmos.
On a Walk:
I walk you through Jnanvapi, showing how pilgrims trace concentric circles around shrines—physically enacting harmony between earth and universe. This spatial dance turns your walk into a living ritual.
2. Clarifying Ritual and Tradition
Vivid rituals, overlapping sects—this city can feel like labyrinth. Together, we clarify: Who are the Shaivas, the Shaktas, who performs tantra and who chants Vedic verses?
Example:
During a morning yajna (fire ritual), I'll explain why a priest alternates Vedic mantras with tantric chants—a spiritual blend defined by Varanasi’s pluralism, as Prof. Rana taught.
3. Reviving Heritage with Care
Many temples and routes have slipped from public view. Using Dr. Rana’s ecotourism principles, we revive them—sensitively and respectfully.
Revival Trip:
I recently guided a group through a nearly forgotten route to Sankat Mochan Temple. We cleared overgrowth, met with local shrine caretakers, and offered donations. By sunset, our small group was welcomed with traditional prasada and heartfelt music. Through this work, we help preserve Varanasi’s living heritage.
4. Celebrating Temple Art
Temples overflow with symbolic artwork. Thanks to Prof. Rohilla’s insights, I help you see beyond the surface.
Detailed Moment:
In the courtyard of Kashi Vishwanath, we study carvings of festival scenes and deities. I point out stylistic shifts tracing back hundreds of years—shifts in patronage, material, purpose. What looks like decoration is actually Varanasi’s visual history.
🎒 What You’ll Experience with Us
- Custom Heritage Itineraries blending iconic temples and hidden shrines
- Art historian–led sessions on carvings, murals, and architecture
- Spiritual walk-throughs with cosmic maps and pilgrimage routes
- Ecotourism elements—visit local NGOs or tree-planting projects as you travel
- Interactive moments: tying protective threads, chanting with priests, recording caretaker stories
Each activity is rooted in mentor teachings, but tailored to your pace and interest.
🌿 Embracing Sustainable and Respectful Tourism
- Small group tours, chosen deliberately to support families and local economies
- Eco-friendly rituals: we use local lamps, organic offerings, and biodegradable packaging
- A portion of your booking funds heritage maintenance efforts at BHU
- We encourage dialogue with locals—priests, boatmen, artisans—so every tour empowers the community
Travel isn’t just about seeing—it’s about contributing. And each of your steps supports preservation.
🧭 Real Impact and Testimonials
Many guides in the city draw on Prof. Rana’s lessons—but here, you travel with authenticity and context.
- “I felt less like a tourist, more like a student of the city,” said a recent traveler.
- Another wrote, “Our guide didn’t just tell stories, he brought them to life: the symbols, the rituals, the community.”
When you journey this way, the city speaks. And you listen.
🚩 Your Heritage Walk Awaits
- Pre-dawn shrine visits, where stillness meets ancient ritual
- Boat rides during Ganga Aarti, filled with music, light, and meaning
- Temple-to-shrine walks with commentary on art, architecture, and cosmology
- Deep conversations about pilgrim traditions, Vedic chants, and urban life patterns
Discover Varanasi as your own classroom—with depth, respect, and wonder.
📞 Ready to Book Your Heritage Journey?
Make your visit to Kashi an unforgettable story of insight and heart.
- Email us at: [your email]
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Join Indeel Travel—where each walk merges history, art, community, and spirit. Let the mentors’ wisdom shape your journey through Varanasi’s soul.