India, Sept. 30 -- "You do not plan Kashi; Kashi plans you." People often say this about Varanasi, and every time I visit, I understand why.

Varanasi is not just another city. There is something about Kashi that you can feel the moment you arrive. The busy roads, the sounds, the crowds, the ghats; everything can feel a little overwhelming at first. But somewhere between the chaos, the Ganga, and the evening aarti, you start to feel calmer.

I have been to Varanasi multiple times, and this was my fifth visit. Yet, I arrived with the same excitement I had the first time. And just like every other trip, I left feeling peaceful, happy and somehow a little lighter.

Home to the holy Ganga and the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 ...