Each year, there are thousands of pilgrimages to the holy city of Varanasi. At sunrise taking a boat tour along the river is a great way to see the ghats…a dip in the Ganges River is considered to be both, holy and purifying. In the evening, Varanasi holds a glorious puja ceremony- the Ganga aarti.
Related Blogs : Varanasi’s Humorous Underbelly ; Varanasi’s Stains
“The Ganga Aarti” (Varanasi, India)
Read blog article: Varanasi’s Stains
Grrrl Traveler’s Postcard Diaries presents “The Ganga Aarti” (Varanasi, India). The evening Ganga Aarti is an hour long ritual performed daily at the bank of the main ghat.
GrrrlTraveler’s Postcard Diaries: Sunrise on the Ganges, Varanasi, India
(2min video)
…My boat cruise down the ganges at 6A felt beautifully special …and not, with reason that at least a 100 of other tourist boats were out on the waters racing to make the length of the Ganges before sunrise! By boat is the only way to see the overall bathing ghat life, morning sun salutations, chanting, meditations, yoga postures and people washing their clothes on Ganges. Man, woman and child are there- a dip in the Ganga water is considered holy and purifying, so many lather up and take a baths in it too! Most are so devout and absorbed in their water ritual, they can be nonchalant about the 100+ tourists boats observing and photographing their every move.
[Excerpt from "Varanasi's Humorous Underbelly"-- Click here for actual blog...]
It is my last day in Varanasi. I will let the Spirit of Varanasi guide me to where she wants and I humbly obey. Hopefully, she’s a bit more seductive and a little less buffeting this time.
First, the Spirit tells me to laze in the clean sheets of my ahhhhh AC palace. I enjoy time off from the heat, the stink, the cows and the scams. I hang out to the cafe patio, have a nice Thali meal (aka a dish comprised of small samplings of different curries, yogurt -for cooling- and rice) and spend time on the internet looking for a hotel in Delhi.
They say travelers who visit Varanasi either, love or hate it.
The sentiments about this city is that strong. Powerful. Extreme.
Navigating from my guesthouse and making my way through the maze of homes, shops, vendors, temples,.. I must have eyes all around me. The streets here are stained with beggars, cows in the middle of the street blocking your path, stray dogs sunbathing where they choose, huge cow patties and smears, the smell of piss from outdoor communal urinals and shop owners accosting you at every corner to “Buy! Buy! (more…)
My first sightseeing day in Varanasi
Full Story »Durga Puja Festival in Varanasi
Full Story »My boat cruise down the Ganges at 6 AM felt beautifully special …and not, with reason that at least a 100 of other tourist boats were out on the waters racing to make the length of the Ganges before sunrise!
Full Story »
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