Varanasi sits on the banks of the holy Ganges River, and is considered one of the holiest places in the world to those of Hindu faith.  Every Hindu hopes to make pilgrimage to Varanasi at least one to bathe in the holy water.  Varanasi is also the most auspicious place to die, since dieing here ensure instant passage to heaven.  To many,  Varanasi is one of the most Indian of cities; pilgrims bathing on the ghats leading to the river, cremations taking place on the banks of the Ganges, a tightly congested old town, crowded and polluted--it is a fascinating place.

Sikh man, Varanasi, India.

Our first day in Varanasi we took a boat ride along the Ganges to see life on the river.  We explored the city with our new friends from Denmark, Jasper and Susanna, who we met upon disembarking our night train.  From the train station we shared a taxi, stayed at the same hotel, and had a great time together for 2 days before it was time to part.

A rowboat takes Indians along the banks of the river.

Bathing on the ghats (the steps leading to the water) of the holy Ganges river.

When we say bathing, we are not kidding.

One of the more central ghats, Dasaswamedh Ghat.  Over 100 ghat line the banks of the Ganges in Varranasi.

Perhaps the activity which strikes westerners as the most intriguing are the cremations that take place at two principal ghats.  This is Marnikarnika Ghat, the main and most revered burning ghat.  Bodies are taken to the ghat draped in color cloth, a time honored ceremony observed, and, ultimately, the body placed upon a load of carefully arranged wood  (notice the wood stacked to the right of the photo) and cremated.  Just business as usual, day in and day out.

Women boating along the Ganges.

Susanna, Jasper, and Rich at our hotel, the Hotel Surya.

And so ends our passage through India.  

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