Banaras in Quest of Shiva

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Banaras is the journey of a man who finds himself lost in the lanes of Banaras. He feels like an alien because it seems like a whole new world to him. He has never seen women before, and yet here he is, battling an intense physical urge. He doesn't know about the concept of money and is fighting a terrible war with gnawing hunger pangs clawing at his insides. He looks at the Shiv bhakts in every lane of this holy city, and never before has he heard of Faith.

Such is the prolific presence of the almighty Shiva in the holy lanes of Banaras that, even though his life seems to be going anti-clockwise as he learns about the life basics in his youth, he can't help but feel one with the Lord.

My first debt is to my male protagonist himself. Thank you, Lord Shiva, for this life, my family and friends, my physical and mental strength, a healthy diet, comfortable surroundings, a job I love going to almost every day, a wallet with some plastic cards and multiple UPI IDs, a massive personal library which helps me rejuvenate and several OTT subscriptions to keep me entertained.

Thank you, Mahadev, for empowering me with the necessary skills, commitment, and perseverance to take up and successfully complete this assignment, for allowing me to tap into my creativity even in the face of adversity, and for keeping the ship afloat during the tough times.

I am indebted to Vishweshwara for allowing me to create a character that embodies the essence of being the most skilled creator, an invincible guardian, and the most powerful destroyer. I am eternally grateful.

My second debt is to those who promised to stay but left during the most crucial times, leaving a scar that would perhaps last forever. The crack you opened was the space from where the light could enter, enlightening the soul.

My third debt is to my parents and sister Suchitra for all he love and support throughout. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Yashika, a friend who turned into family during this phase and had been a constant support at hectic times. Thanks for showing up almost every time and being there to make things lighter. This journey would have never been the same without you people.

The fourth debt is to the team that has been there to turn this dream into reality. Harpreet, who is more of a friend and who, as a publisher, made this journey easier than expected. An honest critic who has been there over calls, emails, and WhatsApp to ensure that the ship sails smoothly. His team has been on their toes to take care of all the technical aspects in a stipulated time frame. Thanks, Anshul Sharma and team porQpine, for the amazing cover, which added immense value to the idea and the concept. Thanks to Parminder Kaur for being noteworthy with editing aspects. Your professionalism and adherence to timelines have been commendable. I am also thankful to Rupeena Arora for the necessary edits, valuable inputs, and continuous feedback/improvisations, which helped the story flourish. Banaras would have never been so spellbinding without you all.