The holy 'City of Light'

After another overnight train we have arrived in the holy city of Varanasi. Varanasi is considered a holy pilgrimage site for many Hindus, as the city founded by the god Shiva. The city is on the banks of the river Ganges and it's believed that a cremation on the banks of the river, or your a ceremony and your ashes put into the river will bring that person salvation. They say Varanasi is not a place to 'see' but 'feel', and you start to feel this quite quickly, from the crazy night street markets to the mesmerising river Ganges. We went on a little walking tour of the old city, full of small interesting inter connecting maze like streets that Google maps would struggle with. We then went on a boat to see the cremations and then a pilgrimage ceremony, and lit a candle to make a wish and offering to the river. It is indeed a magical, mystical but also peaceful place.Read more