As I watched the sun setting on the horizon of the Narayani River, the golden rays spread not only across the landscape but also within me. There’s something bright, something beautiful, something heavenly that stirs deep inside making one believe that endings, after all, can be beautiful.
Visiting the same place repeatedly might sound monotonous and boring, right?
Well, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Life is full of clichés but sometimes, even the familiar becomes extraordinary. The same place in a different season, at a different time, offers a completely new experience. Doesn’t that sound intriguing?
Narayani has always been my favorite go-to place, not just because of the river or the surroundings, but because of the atmosphere it creates. Have you ever felt a sense of home and belonging somewhere? That’s exactly what Narayani is to me.
I recently visited Chitwan, and for the first time, I witnessed Narayani up close. And my first ever encounter with it turned out to be bittersweet. The gradual shift in hues from the moment the sun begins to set until darkness fully takes over was something I don't remember experiencing before. There was even boating available, and the ambiance felt reminiscent of the Titanic in a strangely romantic, cinematic way.
Narayani is, in every sense, an all-in-one destination. You don’t just see people, you observe them. You witness the coexistence of diverse lives. Someone might be sitting alone on the stones, staring into the infinite river, lost in their thoughts. Narayani offers space for those who seek solitude.
At the same time, it’s a welcoming haven for groups i.e. families, friends, tourists, gathered for recreation and laughter. The river has likely been a silent witness to people’s darkest secrets, their loudest laughs, and their quietest tears. It has hugged many through its vast, embracing presence and stood still through ever-changing tides of human emotion.
Even after facing floods and destruction, the spirit of the place remains. Vendors and small business owners still set up their stalls by the riverside in the evenings, and it has become a beloved common space for all. While the visitors are treated to warmth and visual serenity, business flourishes around them. Narayani is inclusive.
From the riverside, the bridge is clearly visible. Watching the movement of buses, bicycles, and motorbikes bathed in golden light is a blissful sight.
You feel fortunate and truly blessed to witness such divinity.
Beneath that same bridge, the Narayani flows steadily, providing shelter to those who have no other home. It silently tells the stories of people from different walks of life: some joyful, some heartbreaking.
After I returned home, I experienced a longing like never before - a deep yearning for Narayani. When I visited again, I was struck by how much it had changed. And yet, no matter the river’s water level or the transformations along the shore, I felt compelled to meet Narayani as closely as possible. That longing led me to walk through uneven, rocky paths just to reach the nearest port where I could once again witness the reflection of the sunset on the river.
The stories Narayani reveals are countless. How I wish I were a professional photographer, able to capture hundreds of moments there. Even if the storage ran out, it would only reflect how full of life the place is. Narayani doesn’t drain your energy, it recharges your soul, instead.
Given the chance, Narayani will always remain my foremost travel priority.
PC: Wikimedia Commons
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