Varanasi—A Holy City Providing A Fast Track To Nirvana

This city of 4 million is the spiritual capital of Hinduism. There are a number of long-told stories of how the city was founded. One of the more popular ones is that Lord (now a God) Shiva started the River Ganges by unbraiding a section of his hair to get a knot free.

How it started is important but what happens in the city today is mystifying. Hundreds of thousands of people come here to die.

Sacred history is that devout Hindus who have cremation in the holy city of Varanasi achieve moksha–liberation from reincarnation. Rather than endure rebirth, if you expire in Varanasi you go directly to nirvana.

There are many steps (ghats) built by many past rulers of Indian kingdoms along the banks of the Ganges so they could have their own private access to the most holy river in the most holy city.

Today there is one main ghat for cremations (the fire starter for each cremation is taken from a fire that has burned for centuries in a special alcove) that go on 24/7 all year long:

The ashes are placed in the Ganges just along side of the ghats used to access a public bathing spot:

We attended the evening ceremony that is conducted every evening at 7pm. It is viewed by thousands in a boat flotilla and followers sitting along the ghats. We were one of the many boats secured together (providing customers for Chi tea, water and ftuit vendors):

There are many Hindi and Buddhist temples in this city and, of course, we visited a few:

We also were there for one of the “zillion” holidays the Indian people celebrate and the streets were packed with revellers transporting images of important goods:

This is a selfie of me in a bicycle rickshaw going back to my hotel (I may look happy but I had resigned myself to the fact that if I had to die this was the place to do it):

We have one last stop before heading back to Delhi. I’m still sorting through my thoughts, feelings and joys of this incredible trip.