***
Varanasi is one of the holiest places in India. The holy Ganges river flows through it, and it is an extremely auspicious (sort of like superstitiously holy)
The Ganges is holy and is believed to have healing powers. Hindu's make pilgrimages to cities through which the Ganges flows, and bathe in, swim in, and drink the holy water. People defecate into the river, and various sewage pipes flow into the Ganges. While seeing people bathe and clean clothes in the Ganges is something you get accustomed to, there is just something unsettling and slightly ironic to the tourist eye watching people brush their teeth with Ganges water.
Dead bodies may be brought to Varanasi, by relatives to have the traditional rituals performed - the body is cleansed with Ganges water, is shaved, and then is burned and its ashes are put into the river. Some older people will go to Varanasi to wait for death - Varanasi is an extremely auspicious place to die. There are many ghats, which are kind of like piers on the water. There is cow shit all over Varanasi (as cows are holy and this is a holy city, there are cows everywhere), especially on the ghats. There are two different burning ghats, on where taking photos is prohibited. We saw a body wrapped in a sheet being burned at one of the burning ghats, and two dogs lying dead near the body. The man who said he owned the ghat told us that women are not allowed to burning rituals because 1) they are too emotional and 2) to protect against Sati, the traditional burning of a bride upon her husband's funeral pyre (which can happen of her own accord, or otherwise), which is now illegal in India.
Photos on the ghat
The last morning we took a boat ride around 4:30am, for 2 1/2 hours. It was foggy for the first half, and although we could only see fog, we heard lots of sounds, such as chanting, the river water swishing against boats, prayers, people coughing and blowing their noses. After the fog began to lift, we saw people bathing, washing clothes, and swimming in the Ganges. Just like on Indian streets, sellers approached us in boats trying to get us to buy trinkets and souvenirs.
We walked through the streets of Varanasi, and also took cyclerikshaws around the city. Varanasi is both overwhelming and at the same time quite peaceful. Cows roam freely, stray mangy dogs eat garbage, children play happily and other children beg for money or run a store or sell knick knacks. Storekeepers sleep in full-view of their customers, and signs advertise organic coffee, tea, body piercing and massage - in one shop.
In the crowded shopping area, stores are selling Varanasi silk cloth, sarees, and all sorts of clothing. The "white" models bothered me somehow. In various places in India, including Goa, Rishikesh, and Varanasi, there are large numbers of Israeli's, often straight out of the army. As a result these cities have wonderful middle eastern food, a real treat for those of us who live off of hummus at home.
We attended a ritual at the ghats, with music, bells, candles, and lots of people.
People were selling pooja flowers and lily pad leaves with a candle inside which you would put light and put on the water to float away. Sometimes they demanded high prices after giving you put the miniature candle boat on the water, and would refuse to take your money, and catch you off guard and be like OK I'll take some money...
waves
1 comment:
hahaha chuck was f@$#king scammed
Ethan
Post a Comment