FUN-travel: Very Sacred – Very Special – Varanasi
November 17, 2016 by Susan Clarke
- Regarded as the spiritual capital of India… the city draws Hindu pilgrims… who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters… believed to have the power of washing away all of one’s sins.
- Dating to 11th century B.C…at more than 3000 years old… makes it the oldest “living city”…and where Hindu’s come to die.
- Shrouded in white cloth…then wrapped in bright orange…the body is set on a bed of thick wooden logs…with more logs placed on top…before being lit from the eternal flame…by the eldest son.
- And thus begins the cremation process…that ends when the final flame dies out…and all that’s left are the ashes… and where each day between 200 and 300 souls…hope to achieve absolute salvaton.
- As I stood on the banks of the Ganges…in the midst of their morning rituals…my thought was how it all felt…so natural…so peaceful…so loving…and such a special experience.
FUN-travel Tip – Watch your step and watch “where” you step as… cows, camels, dogs, goats, pigs, sheep & water buffalo …are the Rulers of the Roads…and the highways…and the streets…and the alleys…and the steps…