The Spiritual Heart of India: The Ganges and Varanasi

Varanasi holy bathing
see all photos »

There isn't much to do in Varanasi for more than a few days, but the bustling city is worth the trip. The old cobblestoned alleyways are amazing, crowded with vendors selling the ubiquitos yellow flowers and candles to be thrown into the Ganges as well as cows meandering at will.

The most profound experiences will be going to the burning ghat at any time of day (but especially at night) and to watch the ritual of men carrying a body mummified on a stretcher with flowers on it as they chant on their way to the Ganges. Then...watching the bodies burn and the ashes deposited into the river (where everyone bathes, defacates, and throws their trash).

Boys make a statue for puja out of clay on the banks of the ghats
see all photos »

You also must get up at sunrise and take one of the boats past the ghats to watch women in colorful saris bathing and men in lungis doing yoga or swimming together. never mind the dead cows in the water that people tie their boats to.