Welcome to Varanasi and the Ganga River (considered the"Life Line of Indian Culture")
11 of us headed for Varanasi this weekend -- Our plan was to make a quick 24 hour trip to see the city and the Ganga river. We were to fly from HYD to Delhi at 6am, then DEL to VAR around 11am. We were all extremely tired from waking up so early that we passed out on our flight from DEL to VAR. The plane landed an hour later and to our surprise, we woke up to find out that our plane had turned around and gone back to DEL due to faulty wings! After waiting for an hour on the plane they finally switched us to another plane and flew us to VAR. We didn't make it to VAR til 4:30, and by the time we got to the hotel it was dusk. Starving, we ate at the restaurant hotel which was super good, I had Mediterranean food which was a nice change from Indian! After dinner we took a short walk along the Ganga river. It was pitch black so we relied on our night vision to find our way.
Feasting after a long day of travel
First human rickshaw ride!We saw some interesting things that night, including the cremation of a few bodies - bones and all. It was a remarkable sight, very sad but also disturbing. Later we took our first human rickshaw rides back to the hotel for only 10Rs = $0.20USD! (check my photos for video.)
In the morning we woke up at dawn for a boat ride up and down the river. We lit candles and sent them off down the river to pay respect to the deceased. The morning time is when many Hindus bathe, brush their teeth, wash clothes, pray and begin their day in the Ganga. These images I'll remember for the rest of my life. We stopped by a few Ghats, including the Manikarnika Ghat which is the main cremation Ghat. A few people initially wanted to dip their feet in the Ganga but all chickened out after seeing firsthand what actually went into the river... except Mahin who took a full dive in! Many props to her :)
Alysia, Tanja and I - Lighting candles to send along the river
Burial site at Manikarnika Ghat
Bathing with mud?
More bathing and praying...
So this is how they dry my clothes...
I had to include this picture of Chinese tourists. Look at all their cameras!After breakfast I got an Ayurvedic massage, another 'experience' to say the least but something I had to try once in India. Ayurvedic is a form of alternative medicine that helps build you spiritually, physically and mentally. The massage I signed up to take was designed to cleanse the body, reduce stress, improve circulation and lose weight! It uses oil all over the body including the hair (I opted not to have oil in my hair.) It was more of a rub than a massage and didn't get all my kinks out, but still relaxing -- can't really complain it was only $10USD!
Flight home was delayed 5 hours (what a surprise) so we played Charades to kill time. There were some tough books and movies to act out, Sonia had to act out 'Ballistic Ecks versus Sever' -- you can imagine the tough time she had!
I think in total we waited and traveled for 22 hours, vacationed for only 17 (7 of which we slept.) It was fun and life changing trip, I'm glad I went but I wouldn't do it again.
Picture Link:
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*** Ganga River Information:
The Ganga river is a sacred river which holds an important place in the Hindu religion. Hindus believe that bathing in the river helps to forgive sins and provides spiritual cleansing. They also burn bodies and place the ashes in the river because it is believed the ashes are sent to heaven. It is said that Hindus must bathe in the Ganga once in their lives for spiritual cleansing and that drinking the water is said to help purify the soul. For more info, click here.