Varanasi is a photographer’s delight. Wherever you look, you will find something interesting or colorful. Here are some of the pictures from Varanasi. Hope you will get a taste of Varanasi through these pictures.
Varanasi. The sound of it reminds many things to different people. For some, it would be the Ghats, for others Ganges, spirituality, religion, people, colors, boat ride, Ganga aarti and many more.
If you are not familiar, let me introduce you to the Varanasi Ghats.
Varanasi ghat
Ghat refers to a series of steps leading down to a body of water, particularly a holy river. Here the holy river is Ganges.
Busy ghat at Varanasi
Ghats are used not only to go to the Holy river and to take a dip, but for many other things.
varanasi ghat scenes
Sometimes for learning…
At Varanasi Ghat
Sometimes to do rituals..
Sadhu Takes a quick nap at Varanasi
Sometimes to take a quick power nap..
Sleeping at Varanasi
Or even to have a peaceful sleep..
One of the many dogs from Varanasi
Sometimes to take a stroll alone..
a man walking through the ghats
Sometimes with a company..
But the real purpose of building series of stairs is of course to climb down till the waters and to go up after taking a dip in the Ganges.
Woman Climbing Down the ghats
Woman Climbing the ghats after a dip in the Ganges
But people do various other businesses here! Such as..
A man dries the laundry at Varanasi
Drying their Laundry..
A man being tonsured at Varanasi ghats
Tonsuring..
A man taking a bath at Varanasi
Or taking a bath alone..
A group of men bathing at Varanasi
Or in groups..
But the most common activity, I believe is just chilling.
One person chilling
Two persons chilling
Three persons chilling
Four persons chilling
At times, there can be mix of emotions too other than just chilling.
Mixed emotions at one of the ghats
But the most important and serious of all activities that happens at the ghats would be the cremation. In Hindu traditions, cremation is one of the rites of passage and the Ghats of Varanasi are considered one of the auspicious locations for this ritual.
One of the cremation ghats in Varanasi
Cremation at Varansi
Fire and smoke engulfs the atmosphere. But then the most beautiful event that happens in Varansi, also has fire and smoke. Ganga aarti is a very beautiful event. (Read daily journal from Varanasi to know a little bit more)
Ganga aarti at Varanasi ghats
These are the few still life scenes from the Ghats of Varanasi. Let me know which one you liked the most.
