I found out that when I arrived here in Varanasi, there was a festival going on and that is why there were thousands of people out. It isnt always that way. Today I went on a walk on the ghats (bathing steps leading to the river). People were actually quite friendly. It seems wherever I go here, teenaged boys want to talk to me. One boy walked along with me for quite awhile and told me about things we saw along the way. They were making a Bollywood movie at one ghat. I sat with a Sadhu (holy man) for awhile and he told me all about his life and beliefs. I already knew what he was telling me but it was cool hearing it from him. He taught me a mantra to sing but now I have already forgotten it, sheesh! And finally after walking for about an hour, I made it to the burning ghat. They burn about 300 bodies there each day. A holy man there told me all about the process and I was literally 5 feet away from one burning body. The bodies are wrapped in a shroud but as it burns, you can see the body turning white. It is amazing that it doesnt smell. You cant take pictures and thats understandable. I think it would be bad enough having tourists watching your loved ones funeral. The male family members stand around and watch. It takes between 2 to 3 hours for the body to burn. I costs the families a lot of money for the wood since it is scarce. I got a blessing from the Holy Shiva fire that is said to have been burning nonstop for 2,500 years and is what lights all of the cremation fires. A prayer is said and then they put ashes on your forehead from the fire. After that I started walking back it felt like it took forever and it was getting very hot. I am back at the hotel now and about to take a cool shower. Namaste
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 07:47:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015