Varanasi
Varanasi (Benares) India, located halfway between Delhi and Kolkata is a city that's not easy to forget. Being one of the oldest and most important religious cities in India gives it an ancient atmosphere that's only enhanced by its prominent location along the banks of the Ganges.
During all hours of the day and night there's something happening either along the riverbank or in the river itself. Laundry is being washed and hung to dry, people are bathing, pilgrims are coming and going, lit candles are set adrift during morning and evening prayers, kids are playing cricket, and there are of course the perpetual open cremations of the recently deceased. It seems no matter how many times one walks the 4-5kms of ghats that line the western bank of the Ganges, it's never the same twice.
"Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." - Mark Twain
Early morning prayers on the banks of the Ganges.
Pilgrims awaiting their boat
Morning meditation
Morning river view.