Varanassi, India

Day 1
After the long train ride, we finally arrived at our hotel in Varanasi. In the evening we caught cycle rickshaws down to the river bank of the Ganges. Down at the river, we hopped on a small boat and sailed down to see the prayer and flower ceremonies. There were flowers with candles floating all down the river and the constant drone of chanting which echoed along the water. We floated down toward the cremation ceremonies. Here, giant fires were alight along the banks set against a backdrop of sandstone buildings. Families waited with the body of their loved one, for their turn. Hindu people believe that death is a time to celebrate life. These ceremonies are surprisingly welcoming to visitors.

By the time we had returned to the dock, there would have been easily twenty thousand people lining the banks of the river. There was also hundreds of boats pulled into the bank, full of further people. These Hindu people visit the banks of the Ganges to pray and bathe in the river, hoping to cleanse them from their sins. I was surprised to learn that this ceremony has happened every single night for over four thousand years!

The place was an absolute buzz. Imagine the sound of chanting, clapping and music, the smoke from the candles and incense, fires burning in the distance and thousands upon thousands of people dressed in colour. We were lucky enough to have a full moon glowing red in the background. It certainly had an energy not experienced anywhere else!

Day 2
Another early wake up meant we watched the sunrise over the Ganges. The area was still buzzing from the night before and we could see Hindus bathing in the river. Most had travelled long distances to bath as an important ritual of their religion.

We walked back over to the area of the cremations, where we witnessed a cremation up close. The family circled the body and chanted. Next, they lit the fire using flames from the eternal flame, which sat above the banks. The family members then stood and watched and chatted. This takes around 3 hours. We stood beside the family and observed. They didn’t mind having us there.

After a rest at the hotel, we headed back out to see the silk village. This was an area of around 2km, full of tiny alleys. As we walked around, you could here the constant galloping by of mechanical silk weaving machines coming from almost every house. We watched a demonstration and browsed the available items.

After dinner we headed straight to bed. Yet another early morning tomorrow for our trip to Nepal!Leer más