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I must record the most beautifully spiritual events of the past few days in the holy city of Varanasi. This has been one of the most meaningful travels in all my life.
A Pilgrimage to the River Ganges January 19, 2001
Ttrealtravels2005-12-26 16:18:51
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saris -- one a classy grey and burgundy, the other a showy fuchsia. My earthly desires were now quite satisfied.
An Afternoon on the Ganges
Alok, our guide in Varanasi, is a true local, born and bred. He was so kind as to add to our original programme with a night-time city tour and trip to the River Ganges.
First, he took us through the labyrinthine alleys of the city. Countless twists and turns he led us through, past a jillion teeny shops selling sparkling bangles and bindis, flowing saris of every hue, shiny pots and pans, herbs and sweets of endless varieties, statues of gods and goddesses and lingums and yoni, sealed brass pots of Ganges water for five rupees, all manner of Indian music, prayer beads and devotional flower garlands, toys for tots, trinkets for all.
The alleys were barely wide enough for two people to stand abreast, yet hundreds of people, plus the occasional cow, goat, and dog, crowded here. Through these streets our guide led us, and on to a guesthouse he knew of. 100 steps or more up, he led us. And then we were on top of the world... or at least the rooftop cafe of the guesthouse. But the view felt like we were celestial.
Oh, the view! Below us was spread Mother Ganges, with the endlessly crowded maze of Varanasi at our backs. The river stretched wide towards the north and south, the opposite shore was deserted, no signs of life, a stark contrast to the city side.
The whole world was either city or river. Nothing else existed, and the river dominated. Ganges reached out and swallowed the world, touching the sky and encompassing all eternity. I felt the presence of the divine at that moment like I never have in any other place in the world. It was joyous, ancient, sacred, and ultimately delightful.
Kites swirled in the air around us like birds. On the patchwork
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See photographs from:
India Gallery
Jessica-xxx, 2008-06-18 19:10:57