11.3.18 Varanasi, the Holiest of Hindu Cities


Varanasi factoids...

• known as Benares during British times
• one of the oldest cities in the world with a written history dating back more than 4,000 years
• home to hundreds of temples and riverside ghats
• spiritual capital of India
• Hindu pilgrims worldwide come to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River and gather to watch funeral rites every day

We board our boat to witness the festivities celebrating life and death. Crowd estimates along the river are about 15,000 people!

Our very young riverboat captain.

Temples.

Multiple cremations.

Karen and Gerhard make a wish 

before placing their floating candles into the river.

A young priest comes aboard to offer us blessings.

Here are some video clips of the festivities during the aarti, the sacred light ceremony...

https://youtu.be/VsHjJiDx6Io

https://youtu.be/bTUdxtf-I_Y

https://youtu.be/Vk1dqot3ZSI

https://youtu.be/2wlkAzHqsNk