Varanasi was the first stop on my April trip to India. Located on the Ganges River, Varanasi (formerly Benares) is a major pilgrimage site for India’s Hindus. They come to Varanasi to bathe in the waters and cremate their dead. The riverbank is lined with ghats, each of which has a distinctive purpose, from cremation to bathing to laundry. It is possible to walk along the river from the northernmost ghat to the southernmost, though you’ll need to steer clear of pick-up cricket games. But the best way to see the ghats is from a boat on the river. We took two boat rides during our three days in Varanasi: once in the evening and once at dawn.
This is the latest in a series of weekly slideshows spotlighting places I’ve been on my travels, in China and beyond. You can also view this album, along with more photos, at To China and Beyond’s Picasa page.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Nice pic. I will be visiting Varanasi in a few days.
-Maneesh.
AdmirableIndia.com