Varanasi

Our last stop somewhere new was in Varanasi (Benares) on the Ganges. We were down by the river before dawn and taken in a rowboat to watch the rituals of those acknowledging the sunrise and bathing in the river. A devout Hindhu will want to make a pilgrimage to Varanasi at least once and if possible die there ensuring passage to eternity. I don’t pretend to understand completely the paths of the believers although our guide did a good job of trying to simplify things. The town is built upon the pilgrims who come to die or to bury their dead.
I think the best things for me to do is to post a few pictures with a brief word about each set.

The first ones here were taken when it was barely light. The umbrealls shelter the Brahmins, a herditary caste, who offer special prayers for the dead. Men's heads were being shaved as a sign of mourning. To the left of the steps is a Sudi, a self proclaimed holy man, celebrating the sunrise with fire.