Ganges at Varanasi is unique. Ganges is joined by Varan river and Asi river. The ancient city Kashi lies between the two rivers and is called Varanasi now-a-days.
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Our boatman, Bhailal gave us the details of all ghats, which were very interesting. Harishchandra Ghat is where the bodies are cremated and the ashes are thrown into the river. There was a big queue of bodies waiting for their turn. Most of the maharajas have built mansions of the banks and the ghat are named after them.
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| Cremation at Harishchandra Ghat |
The water level was low . We have to get down about 40 steps to touch the water. But, the boatman told that there was 60 feet of water in the centre of the the river. The Ganges at Varanasi looks still on the surface as though it is a lake. Lots of foreigners were taking the boat ride.
Bhailal told that Varanasi is famous for five things.1. Ganges 2. Viswanath 3.Saree 4. Pan( Betel) and 5. Brahmin's( priest) endless demands. We also saw an Aghori ( A reclusive cannibal) sitting on the banks.
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| Ganga Aarti |
We had a wonderful view of Ganga Aarti. Two sets of priests did the aarti.The first set of five priests dressed in red clothes and the second set of seven priests in white dress. The rituals are the same. There were seats arranged for VIPs on the banks. The ceremony lasts for about 30 minutes. I felt that there was not a big crowd, compared to what I had seen at Haridwar.
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| Sun Rise |
On the western bank is the city of Varanasi. because of the various offerings of flower, mala, floating lights, the western bank is polluted. I heard that during night, this bank is cleared of the debris.So next day we took the boat to the other side where we really had a good dip.Then we proceeded to Saranath
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