Varanasi 'Banaras' The City of Salvation
India, U. Pradesh
CHAOS & CALM // We spent a couple of days in Varanasi, India's oldest and holiest known city.
The Sacred city is renowned for its riverside cremations by the River Ganga, a Holy ceremony in the hopes of achieving Moksha, where the spirits make their ascension to heaven, as cleansed and pure souls.
Eternal flame of Shiva
The Shiva flame plays an important role in daily life here, used to light the pyres that cremate each of the 200+ bodies a day, as well as a base for the Doms (holy men who tend the flame) to live by and cook their meals from ⠀
Sadhus of Varanasi
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These holy men roam the streets of Varanasi, dedicating their lives to the holy city. Sadly, after some reading most of these men are actually imitations. Openly asking for a cash reward - legitimate Sadhus give up worldly possessions (money included)
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These holy men roam the streets of Varanasi, dedicating their lives to the holy city. Sadly, after some reading most of these men are actually imitations. Openly asking for a cash reward - legitimate Sadhus give up worldly possessions (money included)
24/7 Cremation
Each pyre needs between 200 and 400 kilos of wood to burn one body, the city burns through as much as 80 tonnes every single day. In Hindu tradition, it is believed that if the deceased’s ashes are laid in the River Ganges, their spirits will make their ascension to heaven, as cleansed and pure souls
Sacred H₂O
Mother Ganga is a 1569 mile long river flowing through India and Bangladesh. Pilgrims and visitors alike travel from all over the world to pay their respects, pray, collect and even bathe in the sacred water, at times, swallowing its sacred properties
Life & Death
Young ash-covered pups seeking refuge from the heat of the burning pyres where bodies are cremated
Ganga Aarti
A ritual of offering to Mother Ganga that is held daily at dusk. A number of priests perform this ritual by carrying deepams ( an oil lamp usually made from clay) moving it up and down in sync to the tune of bhajans.
Manikarnika Ghat
Varanasi's main ghat. Boats can be seen arriving constantly loaded with wood at the burning pyres
