Varanasi

A flight to Varanasi transferred us from a rural village to a bustling city on the west bank of the Ganges, such a contrast. Varanasi is India's holiest Hindu city and the river features in the daily lives and rituals of the people. The stone steps down to the river are called Ghats. Dying in the city is a cause of celebration for Hindus as it is believed to bestow instant salvation. Funeral pyres burn day and night on the cremation Ghats the ashes and remains are scattered in the river.

We took an evening boat ride to see all the activities at sunset. As we arrived we were accosted by children wanting to sell us offerings of flowers and candles which are lit and left to float down the river.

Young men were playing cricket, not sure about the stumps!!!

Women were bathing, cows were bathing.

By nightfall the crowds had gathered to chant and pray whilst the priests perform fire-wielding rituals.

We travelled back to the hotel by rickshaw..... really scary... traffic manic!!