Varanasi Burning Ghats

Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, in Varanasi is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts, and carried through the the narrow lanes of the Old City to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in cloth. The corpse is dosed in the Ganges prior to cremation. Huge piles of firewood are stacked along the top of this privately owned ghat, and every pile is carefully weighed on gigantic scales so the price of the cremation can be calculated(very much like our funeral homes). There is an art to using just the right amount of wood to completely incinerate a body. You can watch the cremations, but photography is strictly forbidden, but I did see some tricky tourists take a couple pictures on the sly.

This fire has not been allowed to die out and has been burning for over 3000 years. It is used as a starter for each cremation. Long reeds bundled together are used as torches.

Women and men shave their heads in honour of deceased loved ones.

This is the large scale to weigh the wood.

       This area is the cremation site for privileged VIPS. It's upstairs in a building situated at the burning ghat.

Varanasi Ghats

Spiritually enlightening and fantastically photogenic, Varanasi is at its best by the ghats, which are long stretches of steps leading down to the water on the western banks of the Ganges River. Most are used for bathing, but there are a couple of burning ghats.

                            Boat building.

There are a lot of dudes similar to this guy in different getups. I am not sure how authentic they are, but they want you to take their picture for a fee. I snapped this one from a distance.

Varanasi Sites

Thank goodness for GPS, or else we may be permanently lost in Old City Varanasi! Quite an interesting area. 

Brown Bread Bakery Guesthouse

We arrived in Varanasi around supper time. Our guesthouse had a driver waiting to take us to our accommodations. We were a bit culture shocked when we arrived. Our guesthouse is located in Old City, Varanasi. Narrow, winding lanes led us to our accommodations. Our room was very basic, small, and somewhat disappointing. Being tired and grumpy, both of us were a bit unsatisfied. We showered, had a bite to eat in the guesthouse restaurant, and found the food to be very tasty. Back in our room,  getting ready for bed, we discovered our pillows felt like we were sleeping on a bag of potatoes(slightly exaggerated!), but the bed mattress was of reasonable comfort. The street noise calmed down and became quiet. We had a good sleep and woke up in the morning with a renewed attitude of interest and curiosity in the area we are in.

Breakfast smelled so good that this girl thought she might come in and join us!

The street outside our guesthouse. It's like stepping back in time.

           The Brown Bread Bakery Guesthouse restaurant.

Our room may be small and basic, but the meals are large and very tasty!

 

Varanasi

Our time in Rishikesh is over. We say a fond farewell, head to the airport and fly to the ancient Indian city of Varanasi.

Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. It dates back to 12th century BC. Pilgrims come to the ghats lining the Ganges to wash away sins in the sacred water or to cremate loved ones.
 

 

Rishikesh Walk About

Rishikesh has stolen our hearts. After busy, noisy, gigantic Delhi, Rishikesh has become a welcome relief. We found a calm atmosphere at our accommodations, and have settled into Rishikesh. 

These  narrow lanes lead to quaint hotels, yoga studios, restaurants, c-stores, and spas in the area we are staying. We love it!

There are monkeys all over Rishikesh. This mother is grooming her baby.

                           The Ganges

               There are many narrow lanes throughout Rishikesh.

                                 Cows are everywhere!

Many rafting tours are available. Not sure if they'll find level 5 rapids though.

There are two pedestrian bridges in Rishikesh, but you will also have to put up with motorcycles, cows, and monkeys. Today was very busy on the foot bridges.

                          This cow was getting a rub down.

Rishikesh is a holy place, so you won't see anyone drinking in public. These beer were hidden in the cooler behind the oj. We were led deep into the restaurant, and napkins were wrapped around the cans to hide its content.

Monkeys just off our balcony. Many of the guest feed them so they know where to come for handouts.

                  This guy probably thinks we're stingy.

          A nice little restaurant in the area where we stay.