• MdtravelsIndia and NepalTraveler
    Boarding the Vande Bharat Express for our journey from Agra to Varanasi.
    Boarding the Vande Bharat Express for our journey from Agra to Varanasi.Colourful wooden boats anchored along the banks of the Ganges.Evening view from our hotel, Ganges View.Evening boat rides are very popular on the Ganges.People boarding boats and vendors selling their goods.People enjoying an evening boat ride.Two men washing while tourists take an evening boat ride.Lights begin to illuminate Varanasi's historic waterfront.Munshi Ghat illuminated in the early evening.An illuminated gateway along the ghats of Varanasi.Pilgrims bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges, an important Hindu ritual.Sunrise reflecting across the Ganges from our hotel.Thick layers of mud and silt left along the banks following the recent monsoon floods.Workers using hoses to wash away the thick mud deposited on the ghats and steps.Pilgrims bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganges.A rickshaw carrying passengers alongside a street vendor pushing his food cart.Exploring the narrow streets lined with shops selling prayer beads, religious items, everyday goods.A Sadhu (Hindu holy man) with ceremonial garlands.A vendor selling colourful garlands of marigolds and other flowers.A street vendor preparing breakfast - freshly fried puris.A tangled mass of electrical and communication cables above the narrow streets.Preparing free food for the pilgrams who come to Varanasi.A Sadhu combing his long grey beard.Statue of the Hindu goddess Durga, decorated with flower garlands and offerings.Street vendor selling a selection of spices, herbs and other ingredients.A Sadhu checking his mobile phone.A cyclist and cow sharing the narrow lane.A Sadhu resting on the steps beside the Ganges.Goats relaxing on the steps of one of Varanasi's ghats.Two men washing themselves on the steps.A Hindu priest performing rituals during the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.A priest pauses in prayer during the ceremony.Incense smoke fills the air as a priest performs part of the ceremony.A priest waves a large multi-tiered oil lamp.Manikarnika Ghat, where Hindu funeral pyres burn throughout the day and night.Washing the body in the Ganges before cremation is part of a Hindu purification ritual.After washing, the body is carried to a funeral pyre.All colourful ceremonial wraps and decorations are removed from the body before cremation.Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, where Buddha is traditionally believed to have delivered his first sermon.Ancient statue of a standing Bodhisattva, dating from the Kushan period.

    Varanasi

    Oct 19–21 in India ☀️ 32 °C

    Varanasi is a fascinating and raw city, rich in history, culture, religion and traditions. With a population of over four million, there is always something happening. We explored the narrow lanes of the old city, witnessed the colourful Ganga Aarti ceremony and watched everyday life unfold along the river Ganges, where people bathe, wash clothes, pray and perform cremation rituals. A religious festival was also taking place during our visit, adding to the colour and activity.
    For Murray, the biggest change was the amount of rubbish, particularly plastic, scattered throughout the city. In 1978, plastic waste was virtually nonexistent, and many more men wore traditional Indian clothing. Despite these changes, Varanasi remains an extraordinary city, where ancient traditions continue to be part of everyday life.    Read more