Coming soon...The Ghats of Varanasi

Varanasi lies on the banks of the river Ganges. Pilgrims from all over India and the wider world are drawn to this city; like moths to a flame, for it is here that the Ganges is at its most sacred. The 'Ghats' are a line of stone steps that snake along the banks of the Ganges for hundreds of metres. These are same steps from which the faithful give offerings to the holy river, take a dip in the fetid waters or cremate their loved ones; the ashes of whom are then dispersed in the river - thus contributing to its already muddy appearance. Yesterday was a festival day and the crowds were larger and more viscous then usual. It was an awesome sight to behold from the safety of the wooden boat; a bank teeming with thousands of pilgrims, the air infused with the chanting of 'ohm, Ram ohm' and the tremulous flames of millions of little candle lamps flickering forever into the musty distance. One word: spectacular