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Varanasi, India

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Visiting the mystic city of Varanasi in India had been in my mind for quite some time. I am by no means attracted to one faith in particular, but over the years, I have been able to learn very beneficial lessons from many of them and this had led me to respect all beliefs.

Entering the old city of Varanasi, India

Besides really wanting to visit India, I had been inclined to try to understand and learn about the Hinduism religion; this considered to be over 4,000 years old and about 900 million followers with the majority living there [India].

A snake charmer by the Ganges River

As part of our trip to this wonderful country, Varanasi had to be one of our stops. It was very difficult to choose the places we would visit, as India is a vast country that has so much to offer to its visitors. Initially, we had the plan to visit the west coast of the country and perhaps travel south, but our time was limited and changed plans several times before our departure.

Holy men walking by the Ganges River

Varanasi is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh and dates to the 11th century B.C. It is also known as the spiritual capital of India where the Hindu pilgrims from all corners of the country travel to bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rituals. Varanasi it’s also the home of around 2,000 Hindu temples.

Blending in with the colorful walls of old Varanasi

Walking through the narrow streets of ancient Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River was like walking in a huge maze; It was a daily challenge, but we also enjoyed seeing many cows (sacred animals in the religion of Hinduism) roaming, lying down and standing freely wherever they wanted. Visiting and seeing the constant flames of the bodies being cremated in the Ghats on the banks of the Ganges and the unique smell that seems to envelop the entire city along with the devotion of Hinduism were scenes that we will never forget. Walking along the river and seeing the holy men who have given up all their earthly possessions in search of enlightenment, made us more aware of how small we are, just as it made us reflect on the hereafter.

A cow roaming freely on the alleyways of old Varanasi

An infinity of things can be said about Varanasi, but after being there, one thing definitely true; it is without a doubt a city that has the power to change you as a person and make you see your and other people’s lives differently; this of course if you choose to.

With local police officers (the guy on the right just wanted to take a picture)


Here are some of the many pictures we took in this wonderful city to which we plan to return in the future.
Keep traveling!

An evening view of the burning of bodies at a Ghat by the Ganges River


Varanasi, India

Visiting a local children’s organization in Varanasi

Visitar la mística ciudad de Varanasi en India había estado en mi mente durante bastante tiempo. De ninguna manera me siento atraído por una fe en particular, pero a lo largo de los años, he podido aprender lecciones muy beneficiosas de muchas de ellas y esto me ha llevado a respetar todas las creencias y a sus seguidores.

A random face on the streets of Varanasi

Además de querer visitar la India, me había inclinado a tratar de comprender y aprender sobre la religión del hinduismo; esta se considera que tiene más de 4.000 años y unos 900 millones de seguidores alrededor del mundo, la mayoría (un 95%) viviendo allí [India].

Trying out a heavy metal iron of a street shop

Como parte de nuestro viaje a este maravilloso país, Varanasi tuvo que ser una de nuestras paradas. Fue muy difícil elegir los lugares que visitaríamos, ya que India es un país vasto que tiene mucho que ofrecer a sus visitantes. Inicialmente, teníamos el plan de visitar la costa oeste del país y tal vez viajar al sur, pero nuestro tiempo era limitado y cambiamos los planes varias veces antes de nuestra partida.

A sacred cow walking in the old Varanasi

Varanasi se encuentra en el estado de Uttar Pradesh y data del siglo XI A.C. (Antes de Cristo). También, Varanasi es conocida como la capital espiritual de la India, donde los peregrinos hindúes de todos los rincones del país (y del mundo) viajan para bañarse en las aguas sagradas del río Ganges y realizar rituales funerarios. Varanasi es también el hogar de alrededor de 2.000 templos hindúes.

Waiting for a fresh and warm chapati

Caminar por las estrechas calles del antiguo Varanasi a las orillas del rio Ganges fue como caminar en un enorme laberinto; era un desafío diario, pero también disfrutamos ver muchas vacas (animales sagrados en la religión del hinduismo) deambulando, acostadas y paradas libremente donde quisieran. Visitar y ver las constantes llamas de los cuerpos siendo incinerados en los Ghats a las orillas del Ganges y el olor único que parece envolver toda la ciudad junto con la devoción del hinduismo fueron unas escenas que nunca olvidaremos.  Al caminar junto al rio y ver a los hombres santos que han renunciado a todas sus posesiones terrenales en busca de la iluminación, nos hicieron más conscientes de lo pequeños que somos, al igual nos hizo reflexionar en el mas allá.

Faces of Varanasi, India

Se pueden decir muchas cosas sobre Varanasi, pero después de estar allí, una cosa definitivamente es cierta; Es sin duda una ciudad que tiene el poder de cambiarlo como persona y hacer que vea su vida y la de otras personas de manera diferente; esto, por supuesto, si lo desea.

A pilgrimage passing by with the body of a diseased on their way to a Ghat

Estas son algunas de las muchas fotos que tomamos en esta maravillosa ciudad a la que planeamos regresar en el futuro.
¡Sigue viajando!

Locally made yoghurt
Walking on the alleyways of Varanasi
Walking on the alleyways of Varanasi
Faces of Varanasi, India
Pots and kettles of a street chai masala shop
Walking on the alleyways of Varanasi
Faces of Varanasi, India
faces of Varanasi, India
Fresh vegetables sold each morning on the alleyways of Varanasi
faces of Varanasi, India
faces of Varanasi, India
faces of Varanasi, India
Evening Aarty Hindu ceremony to honor the holy River Ganges, Gods and deities
Evening Aarty Hindu ceremony to honor the holy River Ganges, Gods and deities
An evening boat ride on the Ganges River
Street sales by the Ganges River
Faces of Varanasi, India
Faces of Varanasi, India
A picture by the Ganges
Preparing for the evening Aarty Hindu ceremony
Faces of Varanasi, India
Faces of Varanasi, India
A view of Varanasi, India
Faces of Varanasi, India
Bathing with holy water from the Ganges River
Bathing with holy water from the Ganges River
Bathing with holy water from the Ganges River
Morning boat ride on the Ganges River
A morning view of Varanasi from the Ganges River
Bathing with holy water from the Ganges River
A view of Varanasi, India
Faces of Varanasi, India
Greetings from Varanasi, India
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