DAY 16 : INDIA : Varanasi

Weather : hot, 35o

 

We had a 9am train to catch this morning.

Lots of activity at Lucknow station as it connects with most major cities in India.

 

 

We expected normal seating as on the train from Delhi but no, we were in for another adventure. This was a sleeper carriage.

 

 

Mark had an aisle bed/ seat.

 

 

 

I was in a 4 bed cubicle with a Bengali family.

Supratim and I watched Madagasar in Hindi on his player.

 

 

Whiling away my 6 hour trip with Supratim - a gorgeous child.

 

 

 

 

People were constantly walking the aisles selling hot food and snacks.

 

 

The chai-wallah

 

 

Our destination today was Varanasi. Considered to be the most holy Hindu city in India it has a population of 3.5 million.

 

 

We are staying in the Hotel Ganges View - a guest house with a difference.

There is an artist in residence and fabulous paintings throughout the building, a traditional vegetarian restaurant - and a strong belief in respecting the traditions and environment of Varanasi.

www.hotelgangesview.com

 

 

Our room

 

 

Lovely private balconies and ante rooms with views over the river and the Assi Ghat.

 

 

At 5.30 pm our guide, Anil, took us into the main bazaar in Varanasi. It was buzzing.

 

 

We walked to the Dashashwamedha Ghat, where devotees perform rituals in the Ganges River.

 

 

There is a lot of colour and music around the ghats.

Here are some sadhus - some wearing more than others.

 

 

Part of our tour today was a boat trip up and down the river viewing all the different activities at the various ghats - the stairs that lead to the river.

 

 

Many Hindus still organise funeral pyres by the river - in fact, there are public cremations 24 hours a day. It is a very organised affair. The oldest male family member dresses in a white dhoti and lights the fire, which has been built up beforehand. When the body is fully burnt, only male members of the family who remain for the entire time, put 5 buckets of water on the ashes and leave.

 

 

A group of priests perform "Agni Pooja" (Worship to Fire) daily in the evening at the Dashashwamedha ghat as a dedication to Shiva, Ganga, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe. It is quite a spectacle with thousands of on-lookers.

 

 

Brahmin priest performing a nightly ritual.

 

 

 

Back into the traffic mayhem after a thrilling evening.

 

M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au