Day 19 of our journey saw us arrive in Varanasi probably the holiest site in India for Hindu's. The Ghats (steps) that lead to the Ganges is where everyone gathers to wash., offer prayers, burn dead bodies, wash clothing and replenish!
The town is pretty grotty and rubbish and filth abounds much the same as Kolkata but you can see all past this when you realise how much respect they pay to the Mother Ganga (Ganges River). Going down to the Ghats and witnessing the daily rituals of cleansing and praying is quite moving but you do feel that you are intruding.
This time of year sees Hindus come to Veranasi to pray for relatives who have passed away.. We were very fortunate to get into the Vishwanath (Golden ) Temple which is the equivalent of the Vatican! The push of bodies and the electric atmosphere of being cheek to cheek with people who are on a pilgramage was humbling. It really was an experience not to be forgotten. That night we went down to the Ghat for evening prayers and blessings which goes for an hour and has a lot significance for Hindu's. We got on a row boat to be at the front and although the photo's won't show it, it really was a privilege to observe.
Our lat day saw us on a row boat at dawn to witness the sun come up over the Ganges (inspiring) and to travel up all the Ghats. A must do if you come to Varanasi. We then went to a "burning" Ghat to witness people being cremated on open fires. The stretchers are covered but you can smell the burning. I did find out some interesting facts which I'll dot point below (if you're interested)
2 or 3 days is plenty and then we were off to Khujaraho - home of the Karma Sutra!!!!!
The town is pretty grotty and rubbish and filth abounds much the same as Kolkata but you can see all past this when you realise how much respect they pay to the Mother Ganga (Ganges River). Going down to the Ghats and witnessing the daily rituals of cleansing and praying is quite moving but you do feel that you are intruding.
This time of year sees Hindus come to Veranasi to pray for relatives who have passed away.. We were very fortunate to get into the Vishwanath (Golden ) Temple which is the equivalent of the Vatican! The push of bodies and the electric atmosphere of being cheek to cheek with people who are on a pilgramage was humbling. It really was an experience not to be forgotten. That night we went down to the Ghat for evening prayers and blessings which goes for an hour and has a lot significance for Hindu's. We got on a row boat to be at the front and although the photo's won't show it, it really was a privilege to observe.
Our lat day saw us on a row boat at dawn to witness the sun come up over the Ganges (inspiring) and to travel up all the Ghats. A must do if you come to Varanasi. We then went to a "burning" Ghat to witness people being cremated on open fires. The stretchers are covered but you can smell the burning. I did find out some interesting facts which I'll dot point below (if you're interested)
- 150 bodies are cremated daily
- the individual fires are lit from a 3000 year old eternal flame
- Sandalwood is used for important people such as politicians and teachers!
- it takes 3 hours for a person to burn
- the wood costs 3000 rupees for each cremation which are held in the open and in full view
- pregnant women, brahmin priests and people killed by cobra bites are put into the Ganges weighed down by heavy rocks. They are seen as pure people and do not require burning to release their soul. Pregnant women have a 'bloom' inside them.
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