1983 India: Varanasi (11/14/1983)

Monday, November 14, 1983
Varanasi is the holiest of the seven pilgrimage cities of Hinduism, and is located on the bank of the Ganga/Ganges River, which is itself worshiped as a goddess. The river is lined with ghats, the series of steps leading to a body of water considered to be holy, for ritual bathing.
Took an early morning boat trip (5:30 am!)on the river. Aside from being fearful of falling into the very polluted river, never mind the floating carcasses, it is an amazing sight to see so many people devout enough to bathe in its waters.

Khedar Ghat

Rising sun

Raja Ghat

Laundromat

Dasaswamedha Ghat

Prayag Ghat temple

Risen sun

Dasaswamedha Ghat

Hanuman Ghat

Hanuman Ghat

The tall bamboo poles held baskets containing clay oil lamps that are lit at night during the month of Kartika to celebrate Dev Diwali/Festival of the Lights of the Gods.

At prayer

Ghat scene

Kashi Vishwanath Golden Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Golden Temple detail

Women do all the hard work

Dasaswamedha Ghat

Dasaswamedha Ghat

Dasaswamedha Ghat

Dasaswamedha Ghat washing

Dasaswamedha Ghat

Laundromat

Durgakund Mandir/Temple (18C)

Durgakund Mandir Rhesus macaque

Durgakund Mandir columns and bells

Macaque on a bell

Depart Varanasi 16:20.
Arrive Lucknow 17:15.

Next: Lucknow.