Varanasi & Ganges River, India

Hindu Bathers in Ganges River 
- Varanasi, India

Varanasi & Ganges River, India (2/19-21/2013) – Varanasi is the holiest city of the huge religion of Hinduism and is the spiritual capital of India – truly a special place!

Be forewarned that your visit to Varanasi will be one of the most unique, colorful, chaotic, and likely unforgettable places you will ever experience. You will witness, hear, and smell the most intimate rituals of life and death. Visiting Varanasi has been one of the most memorable travel experiences we have ever had!

Colorful Streets of the Old City 
- Varanasi, India

Bottom of Dasaswamedh Ghat 
- Varanasi, India

Varanasi's Old City was a highlight of our visit. This atmospheric area adjacent the banks of the Ganges River, has narrow crowded lanes lined with colorful shops and many Hindu temples. Varanasi has at least 84 ghats. Ghats are embankments of long stretches of stone steps leading down to the river where the cremations are performed and pilgrims bathe. The Dasaswamedh Ghat is the most colorful and liveliest ghat.

Varanasi is located on the banks of the sacred Hindu Ganges River. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage site because Hindus believe bathing in the Ganges remits sins and has healing properties. Many Hindus also arrive here to die because they believe that after death cremation and throwing your ashes into the Ganges at Varanasi brings salvation, releasing a person's soul.

Hundreds of Bathers 
in Ganges River - Varanasi, India

Sunrise Over the Ganges River 
- Varanasi, India

Do not miss taking a boat trip on the Ganges departing from the Dasaswamedh Ghat. Both the early morning and evening experiences are fascinating. Arriving early morning, you can witness the cremations and the sun rise over the Ganges where you can witness the colorful ritualistic routine (puja) of hundreds of bathers coming offering prayers and for what they believe are the healing properties (see photos).

Cremations at Manikarnika Ghat 
- Varanasi, India

In the evening as dusk descends at the Dasaswamedh Ghat, you can take a boat ride first to the main burning ghat (Manikarnika) to witness the cremations returning to watch the very spiritual Ganga Aarti ceremony praising Mother Ganga (Ganges River) that they believe purifies and blesses them (see photos). The cremation fires are more memorable at night (see photos). Flowers with candles are floated on the river making for a special experience. Both the morning and evening experiences are viewed well from a boat trip. Never take photos near the cremations – it is very disrespectful.

Naked Hindu Holy Sadhu Man 
- Varanasi, India

At Varanasi’s Old City we saw many Hindu holy Sadhu men (see photo). Sadhus are wandering monks often wearing saffron-colored clothing or no clothing at all giving up all worldly possessions. They are widely respected for their holiness and solely dedicated to achieving liberation through meditation and contemplation. There are about 4 million sadhus in India.

Holy Man at the Ganges River 
- Varanasi, India

About the cremations... Hindus believe that after death cremation and throwing your ashes into the Ganges at Varanasi brings salvation, releasing a person's soul. So, it is something very sacred to Hindus. Wrapped bodies are cleaned in the river and cremated in public by the Ganges River (see photo). About 700 pounds of wood is used for each cremation and it last for hours as the family mourns. Even today, some bodies are not cremated but are floated free to decompose in the waters such as holy men; pregnant women; people with leprosy/chicken pox, been bitten by snakes, who had committed suicide; the poor; and children under 5.

Boat Ride on Ganges River 
at Dasaswamedh Ghat

About the Ganges (Ganga) River... The Ganges is longest river of India and is the second greatest river in the world by water discharge. The Ganges basin is the most heavily populated river basin in the world, with over 400 million people. The Ganges was ranked among the five most polluted rivers of the world.

Ganga Aarti Ceremony  
Praising Mother Ganga (Ganges River)

Flower with Candle Offerings - Ganges River

Some history... Varanasi is one the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. For several thousand years, it has been a cultural center of north India. Buddha spoke here. Due to destruction from ruling factions, few of the buildings in the Varanasi’s old city are more than a couple of hundred years old. Tourism is Varanasi's second most important industry with over 3 million domestic and about 200,000 foreign tourists visiting annually. The peak tourist season falls between October and March.

Travel tips... India has three main seasons - hot and humid Summer (March to May), Monsoon (June to September), and Winter (milder summer). The best time to visit is during the winter between November and February. We visited in February with wonderful weather. Locals in India speak in broken English and those working in corporates and belonging to middle, upper middle and high class can speak fluent English.

Colorful Shops - Varanasi, India

Washing Laundry 
in Ganges River - Varanasi, India

Staying healthy in India... Most visitors choose bottled water that can be purchased reasonable cheaply. When buying water from street vendors, make sure the lid is sealed and not refilled with tap water. Make sure you rinse your toothbrush with bottled water and keep your mouth closed when showering. It is also wise to be careful what you eat. Outside of major tourist hotels and restaurants, particularly risky things to stay away from are raw leafy vegetables and egg-based dressings like mayonnaise, and minced meat. To be safe, you should stick to boiled, baked, fried, or peeled goods.

Please see our other 6 posts about incredible India:

Taj Mahal, India 

Goa Beaches, India

Mumbai (Bombay), India

New Delhi, India (Capital)

Jaipur (The Pink City), India

Khajuraho (Kama Sutra Temples) - Orchha, India 

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