Ganges, India's holy river { 9 images } Created 6 Oct 2006
Varanasi
Varanasi, the holy city, is over 1,000 years old. It is one of India's most important Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Varanasi is a melting pot, where life meets death.
The old city lines the west bank of the mighty Ganges River, with steps down to the water, known as Ghats.
Used for bathing, washing and burning the bodies of those who have passed away, there are over one hundred Ghats in the town.
Dying in Varanasi is said to provide a direct route to heaven which explains the popularity of the two burning Ghats.
Just ten kilometres away is Saranath, the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon some 2,500 years ago.
Varanasi, the holy city, is over 1,000 years old. It is one of India's most important Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Varanasi is a melting pot, where life meets death.
The old city lines the west bank of the mighty Ganges River, with steps down to the water, known as Ghats.
Used for bathing, washing and burning the bodies of those who have passed away, there are over one hundred Ghats in the town.
Dying in Varanasi is said to provide a direct route to heaven which explains the popularity of the two burning Ghats.
Just ten kilometres away is Saranath, the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon some 2,500 years ago.
