The Holy City of Varanasi
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The British renamed it Benares as Varanasi was too difficult to pronouce...
There is The Mecca for the Muslims, Rome for the Catholics, there is Varanasi for the Hindus.
Varanasi is often referred to as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", "the city of learning", and "the oldest living city on earth."
"Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Mark Twain.
People of Varanasi
Baba - we had a chat for 30 minutes in smile language... :-)
I don't know they might scare you at first sight, but when you zoom on their eyes, they are telling you something, their stories...
But you really need to get out of your confort zone if you want to interact with them... :-)
People of Varanasi.
People of Varanasi - Nitin
So many kids flying kites along the Ganges river while buffalos and dogs are resting...
People of Varanasi
People of Varanasi
People of Varanasi
Ganesh - People of Varanasi
If they don't fly kites or play cricket, the kids of Varanasi sell you stuff.
Usually flowers and candles that you will throw in the Ganges River while you formulate a good fortune wish...
And who knows, wish might come true...
We shall see - I have made one! ;-)
Amazing conversation with this teenager from Varanasi while I was shooting the Puja ceremony... :-)
The Ganges is the most sacred river to Hindus and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs.
It is worshipped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism.
India's holiest City Varanasi holds a Ganga Arti Puja ceremony every evening at sunset. Thousands of pilgrims gather at the main ghat of the banks of the Ganges where fire is offered to Lord Shiva & the Ganges river.
A group of priests daily in the evening at the Dashashwamedh ghat perform "Agni Pooja" (Worship to Fire) wherein a dedication is made to Lord Shiva, River Ganga (the Ganges), Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe.
Priest (Brahman) conducting the Puja ceremony.
Opening of the ceremony...
The first ritual is to generate some sounds via a seashell to reach the Nirvana.
While blowing into the seashell, music is played, bells are ringing and drums are giving the beat....
Thousands of people are attending the ceremony and pray in fervor...
More attendees...
According to another legend, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during a Puja performed here.
Lots of incense smoke, loud clanging bells and chanting all add to the tone of an enchanting, time honoured tradition.
3rd ritual: with fire (still looking for exact signification)
4th ritual: still with fire (still looking for exact signification)
Offerings to the Gods
Once the ceremony is over, attendees jumped on the fire flame for ...
