| A lot of people claim that there aren't that many | | | | choice is yours, of course. |
| adventure spots in Varanasi and sometimes the | | | | But this is just for the picnickers. If you really |
| spiritual overdose in Varanasi does get to the | | | | want to reach the waterfall, you will have to trek |
| nerves. It cannot be denied that there are some | | | | for almost a mile through these boulders, yes, |
| amongst us who love the great outdoors. People | | | | you heard it right. You have to climb and jump |
| who love to go on jungle treks, climb hills, bird | | | | over these boulders to reach the water fall. And |
| watching - nature is the perfect aphrodisiac for | | | | let me tell you that it's not easy. You have to be |
| such folks. And it so happens that Close to | | | | extremely careful or else, you will have to turn |
| Varanasi in the neighboring district of Mirzapur lie | | | | back with a sprained ankle. So when you decide |
| some beautiful, scenic locales where small tribal | | | | to go, get some tough shoes with solid grip. If |
| settlements dot the hills. The area has not so high | | | | you slip, well, it's your head against the rock. And |
| hills formed from the famous Chunar | | | | do not go there during the rainy season, not until |
| rocks-extremely hard rocks used in the erstwhile | | | | you are an expert in rock climbing. Those rocks |
| days to build huge forts. | | | | can get very slippery. |
| About 55 kms from the city of Varanasi, lying | | | | On the way to the waterfall, you will see some |
| ensconced in the hills is a beautiful waterfall that | | | | caves that lie high up on the face of the walls of |
| drops down in to a lovely lake surrounded on all | | | | the hills. It is said that they were inhabited by men |
| sides by rocky cliffs. The water from the fall | | | | who roamed and hunted in this area long before |
| flows downstream in the form of a small stream | | | | the TV and telephone was invented. But only a |
| whose bed is covered with boulders all the way | | | | trained rock climber might be able to reach those |
| downstream for almost a mile. And to reach the | | | | caves if he has the right equipment. So after the |
| waterfall, you have to climb, slide,walk,twist and | | | | arduous trek through the rocky bed, when you |
| turn through these boulders. There is no other | | | | finally reach the waterfall - you will love it, it's |
| way, you see. Interested? Read on. | | | | really worth the journey. The water where it falls |
| The place we are talking about is Lakhania Dari | | | | has created a small lake and surrounding the lake |
| and is the perfect place to spend a day away | | | | is the rocky cliff on the other two sides where |
| from the crowded streets of Varanasi. And once | | | | you can lie down and listen to the mesmerizing |
| you are out of the city limits, the journey to the | | | | sound of the falling water. The area is relatively |
| place itself is refreshing. The tree lined road | | | | cool and so is the water and if you are a good |
| stretched in to the green fields and small rocky | | | | swimmer, well, jump in. How deep is the lake? |
| hills. A little further ahead, you can see the | | | | Nobody knows. Can't be too deep though. Only |
| meandering river stream with small tribal | | | | one way to find out, jump in! |
| settlements and small tribal boys herding their | | | | The water is clean and cool. The place is |
| cattle. This place is on the national highway that | | | | frequented by very few people as not many |
| connect Varanasi to Robertsganj and its easy to | | | | know of its existence. On Sundays though, you |
| miss the entrance to Lakhania Dari if you don't | | | | will find a crowd of families gathered for picnic. It's |
| know the place. The entrance is just around a | | | | a great idea to pack some ice and bottles of beer |
| bend that has a bill board with the name Lakhani | | | | and lie down on the rocks by the lake and chill |
| Dari on it, and there is a small shop owned by | | | | out. For the journey, do not forget to carry |
| Chhote Lal who sells packaged water, Chai(tea) | | | | water bottles and fresh juice. The small trek does |
| and some snacks. Leave the road and climb up | | | | make you thirsty if it's a sunny day. And yes, we |
| and you will see a track through the bushes | | | | would request you to carry back your empty |
| leading ahead and not very far, you will see the | | | | bottles and food packets etc and not just litter it |
| stream from the waterfall with boulders perched | | | | away like many others do. We do not want to |
| at just the right degree, offering a cool site to sit | | | | set a bad example, do we? |
| down and have your bottle of beer or juice - the | | | | |