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Thursday Doors – Varanasi

Welcome to Thursday Doors, a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favourite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). This post is linked to Dan’s ‘Thursday Doors’ challenge.

These pictures were taken during my recent trip to Benaras or Varanasi as it is called now. Varanasi is a place for pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists worldwide. It is said that it is the oldest city in the world. It is also where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Some of the doors you see below are residences or shops, yet they have a religious flavour to them (the colour of orange or saffron that symbolizes Hinduism). To know more about Varanasi, you can click here. I could have clicked away because every door in the city had character.

Back door in a temple in Varanasi

Door to a home. Notice the orange idol of Lord Ganesha (God of good fortune in Hinduism) over the door.

Bright orange door to a house. Hinduism is associated with saffron.

I love the dappled sunlight on this door as also the green on the wall with frescoes against the dark brown of the door.

Here’s a picture of the steps leading up to the door that I asked my friend to send for this post, as mine got deleted when I zoomed into the picture (if that makes any sense).

Isn’t it lovely?

Copyright@smithavishwanathsblog.com. All Rights Reserved.

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26 responses to “Thursday Doors – Varanasi”

  1. philosophy through photography Avatar
    philosophy through photography

    The first one with yellow border grabbed my attention.
    Great collection and lovely colours and design.
    Artistry at its best.
    Well taken
    Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      You liked the side door to the sanctum sanatorium- it is beautiful. Especially because of the yellow against the stone.
      Thank you for visiting. I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the pictures. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. I. J. Khanewala Avatar
    I. J. Khanewala

    I love that beautiful sun-dappled door.

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Thank you for visiting the blog. It’s nice to know you like it too!

      Reply
  3. jazzytower Avatar
    jazzytower

    A beautiful post, and I love that orange door🙂.

    Pat

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Thank you, Pat for appreciating the post and writing back. Everytime someone says, they like the orange door, I go back to the post and check it out 🙂 -I suppose, there is something about it that arrests one’s attention.

      Reply
  4. boundlessblessingsblog Avatar
    boundlessblessingsblog

    All the doors are wonderful. Those days architecture was awesome. Lovely post.

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Thank you,Kamal🙂. I’m pleased you liked the doors of Benaras. Thank you for writing back.

      Reply
      1. boundlessblessingsblog Avatar
        boundlessblessingsblog

        You are always welcome dear Smitha 💖😊

        Reply
  5. sustainabilitea Avatar
    sustainabilitea

    I like that last one as well and doors and walls like those in the first few shots always stun me with all the work that must have gone into them!

    janet

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Hi Janet, Most doors in Varanasi have the walls around them painted with flowers or dancing men and women. A lot of work goes into beautifying the entrance as a way to welcome God.
      Thank you for visiting and writing back. I appreciate it.

      Reply
  6. lynnfay73 Avatar
    lynnfay73

    I love your doors, not just visually, but metaphorically. The concept of doors is integral to human experience–all kinds of doors. Thanks, Smitha!

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Hi Lynn, it’s been a long time. I hope things are well at your end.
      True,doors play a significant role in our lives, literally and metaphorically. We need to know when to close and open them. Thank you,Lynn, for sharing your thought. Have a wonderful weekend!

      Reply
  7. Manja Maksimovič Avatar
    Manja Maksimovič

    Ooo, how lovely! I wish you would, click away and get them all, the doors of Benaras. Now you must return. 😉

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Ha ha…I know, right? Manja, there were times I felt like jumping out of the tuk-tuk to get a picture of a door, all for ‘Thursday Doors’. Then, better sense prevailed😀. But, return I must…someday. Hugs.

      Reply
  8. robbiesinspiration Avatar
    robbiesinspiration

    HI Smitha, these are wonderful doors. The shade dappled one is very pretty.

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Hi Robbie, You like it too! That’s very nice to know.
      I had a better picture of it that I edited to zoom in on the door for the purpose of this post and then somehow, I couldn’t find the original. If I do, I’ll share it and let you know. The steps that led to the door were very pretty too!

      Reply
      1. robbiesinspiration Avatar
        robbiesinspiration

        Yes, it is full of mystery and delight. You should try and paint it. It would be a good challenge for you.

        Reply
        1. Smitha V Avatar
          Smitha V

          Yes, that’s what it is. I wasn’t sure what it was that attracted me to the door, but, I kept looking at it everytime I passed by since it was on the ghats.
          I managed to get a picture of the door with the stairs (which I have now added). Do check it out, Robbie. I’ll give painting it a shot (since you think its makes a good subject). Thank you!

          Reply
          1. robbiesinspiration Avatar
            robbiesinspiration

            HI Smitha, I enjoyed your picture that included the staircase, it is a lovely sweeping one. Thanks for adding it.

          2. Smitha V Avatar
            Smitha V

            Hi Robbie, Yes, it was sweeping one and maybe that added to its beauty. I couldn’t find the front shot but I’m glad I could share this one with you.

  9. Valentina Avatar
    Valentina

    Very nice doors, I am sure all the doors in that part of the world have a history or a story to tell.

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      Thank you for visiting, Valentina. I’m so glad you liked the doors posted here. You are right- it did feel like every door in the city had a story to tell.

      Reply
  10. Dan Antion Avatar
    Dan Antion

    I agree with what was said above. There’s a quality to that orange door that makes me want to study it. I understand the feeling when surrounded by lovely and interesting doors. Thanks for sharing these very special doors.

    Reply
  11. Vineetha Brijesh Avatar
    Vineetha Brijesh

    All the doors are so beautiful!! Don’t know why somehow drawn towards the orange door.

    Reply
    1. Smitha V Avatar
      Smitha V

      I’m happy that you liked them. I could have clicked away in Benaras. Every door had something about it…very much like the orange door. You don’t know why, but it grabs your attention. Thank you, Vineetha for checking out the post and writing back. X

      Reply

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