Visit Vanarasi, the city that hosts the most pilgrims in India, and is part of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism
Varanasi, once called Bénarès, is one of the most emblematic cities of the India . And for cause, it is the greatest sacred place of Hinduism. Many have certainly already been able to see and discover Vanarasi in front of their screens, thanks to a report being dedicated to it, so it is mythical. It is also one of the first major cities arriving from Nepal . This city welcomes every year between 3 and 4 million pilgrims from all over the country. This site is first known for its cremations in front of the Gange. Moreover, in this city, the section of the Gange is the most sacred. It has therefore attracted more than 2500 years, pilgrims and visitors in search of spirituality.
The city centre is nestled between the Varuna and Assi rivers, hence the name of Varanasi. Although Varanasi is a city that never sleeps, it is at dawn that the show is the most striking, when the golden rays of the sun arise on the countless temples and ghat, on the meditating pilgrims and on the faithful taking their purifying bath.
Photo credit: Flickr – Matt Paish
In addition, the cremations, the city attracts many faithful to the ablutions in the Gange, this one supposed to wash from all accumulated sins. To die in this city would be a privilege, because according to the Hindu religion, Varanasi would be a way to reach the Moksha, the Nirvana, and thus would put an end to all forms of reincarnations. A special atmosphere that makes the legend of Varanasi.
Cremations take place on ghats (stairs leading to the Ganges), although it is forbidden to photograph ceremonies, tourists and close to the deceased occupy the same place. Indeed, it is possible to attend a ceremony of cremation, the Hindus accept the presence of foreigners on the scene. As strange as it may seem, the cremations take place days and nights, continuously, there would be between 200 and 300 cremations per day .
Even though cremations extend throughout the year, it is a true ritual to which Hindus indulge. The place of cremation will depend on the caste of the deceased (social class). However, some people cannot be cremated by their place in society, they are newborns, pregnant women, lepers, sadhus (saint man), victims of cobra bites, cows, dead bodies are then directly offered to the Ganges.
Ghats – Photo credit: Flickr – utpal.
The ritual of cremation always begins with a bath in the river where the body of the deceased wrapped with a different linceul of color depending on age and sex, is covered with flowers. The log often erected near the river and also decorated with flowers, for the richest. The custom requires that the man of the family (the eldest son, uncle or brother of the deceased) clothed in white, perform several tours around the body while reciting Mantras . For a spiritual purpose, the man clothed in white, then fractures the skull of the deceased in order to allow the soul to come out of the body and finally reach heaven.
A scene of extreme violence, in which few people attend. Some guides will say that the sadness of the ceremony belongs to the Western world, but in such circumstances it is difficult to believe in such remarks. All the more so, as some women would be removed from the place so that they could not get sad.
Varanasi, you will have understood it is a city full of paradoxes, sometimes surprising and dazzling, it is a city full of spirituality that deserves above all to be respected. A mandatory passage for all visitors wishing to discover the soul and heart of this fascinating country that is India.
Main image credit: Flickr – jeeheon
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