Delhi to Kathmandu – Varanasi

Image above: Early in the morning, the pink glow of the dawn is reflected in the still waters of the Ganges at Assi Ghat. [Saturday 31 January]

After spending a fantastic time on the Ganges, here’s the photo set on Varanasi – considered to be the holiest place by Hindus – and one which was fascinating to explore both by river and within its back lanes.

Some of the highlights were:

• Watching life pass by on the waterfront which ranged from locals chatting over a cup of masala chai; to the games being played by kids and adults alike; to the constant stream of boatmen touting for business; to the fisherman taking up his nets for the night
• Making a wish with each candle I placed on the Ganges and watching them all drift off together into the distance
• Seeing the constant fires of the burning ghats where deceased Hindus are cremated on the shores of the Ganges
• Being amazed at the beauty of Varanasi at dawn
• Witnessing the morning ablutions of devout Hindus washing away their sins by bathing in the Ganges
• Wandering through and enjoying getting lost in the back lanes of Varanasi crammed full of locals going about daily life
• Getting scammed (though only for £3) at a burning ghat by being guilt-tripped into “buying wood” for an old woman who couldn’t afford it
• Being utterly surprised by a local who, upon finding out that I wasn’t actually Japanese, asked me: “well, why aren’t you Japanese?” Answers on a postcard please!

And that pretty much completes the India leg of my Delhi to Kathmandu trip. So next will be the candid photos of my fellow travellers and I in Nepal.

[View the Varanasi photo set]