rjadelsonourlife: Varanasi, cremations Jan 27-28

We flew to Varanasi. What a happening. Rashid said to stay in a line. Tons of security and rechecks. It ended up that we would be on a smaller plane. Even though, it was not our problem that the plane was smaller, we were made to check carry on luggage that they said was too large and pay for the over weight. And there was no changing their minds. Rashid argued and tried to work it out. They took one of our carry ons. We only paid $7 extra. But people paid as much at $60 extra dollars.

The plane was late and that got us into Varanasi late. We went straight to the Ganges river for a cruise. It was dark. The bus let us off and we had to walk quite a distance to the water. Past people everywhere. Selling candles with marigolds to float in the water. Children followed us and begged to sell something and money. For many of the trips off the bus, we were told to leave our purses on the bus. The kids were on top of us. It was 8:00 at night and these little kids are roaming the streets. When we were on the water, we went up and down the river. There were at least five cremations going on in one area. Not allowed to take pictures of it, but I snuck one shot in the morning. We went to an area where there was a ceremony for the water. Hundreds of people were on land and as many were in boats on the water. They were the tourist in the boats. They had torches and fans and did all kinds of things. Si Singing. This happens every night, all along the river.

These are the little girls that followed us down the streets and to the boats. They got on one of the tourist boats. They were trying to sell us the marigolds with candles. I feel they had something like pimps they worked for. When we were walking down the steps, I noticed two men. When were came back to shore later at night the men were standing there. I just did not like these little girls out at night. There were so many articles about rapes in the newspaper and no one to protect them.

We came back to the Ganges river at 6:00 AM. People and animals were sleeping everywhere on the streets. People were selling the flowers and containers to bring home water from the Ganges.

Cow sleeping

Person covered with blanket

Setting up him food station.

Sitting around a small fire to keep warm.

Water bottles

The steps to the river of Varanasi

This is the house of the priest of the area.

A Hindu is supposed to be cremated by six hours after they die. The men in the family will shave their heads. The family will dress in white and be in mourning for 13 days. No fancy foods. The dead person is wrapped in a gold cloth and put onto a bamboo ladder to be carried to the cremation sight. The oldest son or oldest male will be in charge of the event. He will get into the water to clean himself. Say some prayers. Then they put the dead person into the water to clean him. Take the gold cloth off him and place him on the fire. It takes about 3-5 hours to burn. The son will then have to crush the skull and throw the remains into the river. Women do not go to the river. But I saw some that looked like they were part of a funeral.
Just a little fog.

The sellers on boats would come up to our boat and not leave us alone.

Cremation area. You can see the smoke,from the fires. I saw an area with five cremations going.

Couple putting the marigold and candle in the water.

Going into the water. Notice all the candles.

Bathing.

Bathing

This is laundry drying on the dirty hills.

Washing clothes and drying the saris

Bathing. Did I tell you, the water is DIRTY!

Laundry being washed and see the garbage.

The same kids that were begging the night before.

We were a little cold on the boat. It is 7:00 AM our last day of the trip.

Laundry piled up.

This is the picture I took of a funeral. The fire tier is next to the water. Men are standing around the dead, I think woman. She is covered in the gold cloth. She had been put into the water and cleaned and as we left they were lifting she to the fire. Glad I missed that part of the funeral.