Subah-e-Banaras is a unique start-up by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It was started in 2014, keeping in mind the freshness offered by the beautiful city of Varanasi surrounded by the perpetually flowing the Ganges. Subah-e-Banaras on Assi Ghat in Varanasi was an initiative taken by a group of government officials forming a committee. The committee consisted of Shri Pranjal Yadav, the District Magistrate of the city, Dr.Ratnesh Verma, the chief of the Regional Cultural Centre and Shri Vishak G, the Chief Development Officer of Varanasi. The program enables the people to take initiative and join hands to present cultural activities, high spirited rituals, laden with spirituality. It has emerged as a fascinating tourist attraction in Varanasi.
The Subah-e-Banaras is performed during morning hours, to be precise at sunrise. Attended by the tourists in large number, this Ganga worship ceremony is driven by the belief that praying the Almighty at this hour in the morning brings prosperity in life and the person remains fresh for the whole day. It continues in the morning for two hours. During the summer season, the program starts at 5 am. The schedule of various activities and rituals has been judiciously chalked out. It starts with a Yoga session in group. Chanting of ‘mantras’ and hymns during Yoga acts as a motivation to the people. Further, the yoga is done in fresh air so that a connection with nature could be established. The next program is the Vedic Yajna with recitation of holy hymns to seek blessings of the divine power. The Yajna is done to provide world peace and dedicate the same to the five basic elements of the earth, namely land, water, sky, air and fire (Kshiti, Jal, Pavak, Gagan & Sameer) according to Hindu mythology.
All the programs happen with a background music which is mostly classical in nature sung by the music experts. The yoga poses are decided accordingly and changed on a daily basis with an aim to maintain one’s shape perfectly and mentally. After the yoga, tourists and residents can take a Subah-e-Banaras-Boat ride on the River Ganga. It rejuvenates the whole body and soul and must be attended at least once in a lifetime.
