Varanasi and The Ganges

The holy water of the Ganges is central to the city of Varanasi and the Hindu rituals which some people perform here daily and some people travel from afar to do. Our very long day was bookended by witnessing these rituals.

The morning began with a sunrise boat trip. As our boat rowed down the shore we saw men bathing in the water and making offerings to the gods, washing being beaten and the bodies of those passed being cremated. The water was very still and reflected the pinks from the rising sun like a mirror. The whole trip was so moving... Or maybe we were tired and emotional from the 5am start!

In the evening we placed lit candles surrounded by marigolds into the dark river and they drifted alongside the boat. The lights from the shore were eerily reflected in the water across the river. The opposite side of the river is bare, which highlights the constant activity on the other side. The Hindu people believe that fire is the most pure element and use it during their rituals. Just seeing the burning ghats were the cremations were taking place and seeing the bodies wrapped and waiting left us without words...

And again on sunset the kites filled the sky...