Varinasi is believed to have been founded by the Hindu god Shiva. It is built on the banks of the river Ganges. It is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. It is the spiritual capital of India with hundreds making the pilgrimage here yearly. It is made up of many ghats which are stepped alleys down to the banks of the river. We witnessed hundreds of people bathing in the river as it is believed to be holly water. Hindu's believe that dying here and being cremated on the river bank will bring salvation.
Bodies are laid on a wooden stretcher and wrapped in orange & gold material and carried through the city by the men of the family. The body is then set alight. The male relations and friends oversee this cremation but the wife and female friends and relations are not permitted as they would cry and this is most definitely not permitted. Once the body has been reduced to ashes they are scattered in the river. There were five fires burning when we went past in our boat and the ghat was full of mourners. The fires burn 24/7 and cremations continue throughout the evening as there is a strict time frame for Hindus to be cremated. There are also strict guidelines for who can get cremated on the banks of the Ganges with age and life choices playing a big part.
Our hotel to the right with a great view over the river.
People cleansing themselves in the holly water. The Ganges is one of the worlds most polluted rivers but this does not deter anyone from washing in it. They even bring their washing to the river banks.
The Holly cows even get to bath in the Ganges!
We took an early morning boat ride to watch the sunrise and the daily morning ceremony to give thanks to the sun.
En route home the heavens opened!!! It was so bad we had to park up & seek shelter for 20 minutes as it was impossible for our poor guide to row against the winds!!!
They also have an evening ceremony to say their thanks for the river. It is a truly spectacular sight with chanting, lights, fire and singing. We again went on a boat and became entangled in about 200 other boats watching the spectacle. There were little boys hopping between the boats selling tea lights and chai.
Regardless of how much space they have the Indians always have space to play cricket, even on the ghats of the Ganges.
During the rainy season the river rises to cover all the lower ghats and many buildings are feeling the pressure of this. The temple above is slowly disappearing every year.
Varinasi has more than 2,000 temples that are squeezed into the narrow streets amongst the cows and goats. They certainly make the most of their space with shops and food vendors throughout. Out with the ghats there is a bustling city full of shops, markets and restaurants. It is never quiet with cars, motorbikes and Tuk Tuks tooting away & driving hap hazardly!!
You name it a rickshaw can take it!!!!
Safety first as always in India!!
A very new and sparkling temple.
Varinasi was certainly an experience. I really wasn't sure of what to expect from the riverside cremations and all that comes along with the holly waters of the Ganges. It is looking very old and tired and the buildings along the waters edge are disintegrating with every year the river rises. The streets were narrow and you can imagine the hygiene level with cows, goats & dogs wandering freely. It certainly was an experience & our eyes were certainly opened to the beliefs and the respect these people show their religion. You still wouldn't catch me any time in my life swimming in the Ganges with the ashes of hundreds of people & the pollution from upstream as well as cow washing and laundry!!!! No thanks!
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