Ghats - At sunrise. Varanasi, India

[Manfred M]

We got up early this morning to see Varanasi, the Hindu holy city at sunrise. We left our hotel at 5:30 and got down to the main ghat on the Ganges River before 6:00AM. This shot shows how many people were already there.



I would say that people that say Varanasi could be renamed "Very Nasty". It is really quite dirty and smelly, with touts bothering you the whole time. None the less, well worth the bother to see it. We did not have a classical sunrise, as the day was quite overcast.

[Mike Buckley]

Your photos display so much variety, indicating that you must be having an absolutely fantastic time.

[Donald]

What a wonderful picture. It beautifully captures and conveys what could only ever be India.

[Bobobird]

I think the buildings at the back could use a bit more contrast or "dimming".

One has to understand that this place is where almost everyone brings their dead for cremation and/or scattering of ashes. Smell of burning flesh, smoke, incense, flowers, road side food and sweets etc is going to "smell".

You should hang around for the evening which is one big colourful religious event. Lots of candles, burning oil etc. Quite the spectacle.

[bnnrcn]

I have just googled Varanasi and ghats and I found out that it is one of the most interesting places in the world with what is going on there. Thanks for sharing the image Manfred. India is one of my favourites to go and see

[tbob]

Manfred: I have been following your adventures and images. Quite fascinating. The commentary is a great addition to the images.

[Shadowman]

Very nice, did you take the boat ride? One of the few tourist excursions that get you to the attraction during good lighting conditions.

[Manfred M]

I think the buildings at the back could use a bit more contrast or "dimming".

One has to understand that this place is where almost everyone brings their dead for cremation and/or scattering of ashes. Smell of burning flesh, smoke, incense, flowers, road side food and sweets etc is going to "smell".

You should hang around for the evening which is one big colourful religious event. Lots of candles, burning oil etc. Quite the spectacle.

Most of the smell was coming from rotting garbage, human waste and animal waste. The place is quite dirty, in spite of its holy city status. As for the cremation, we were surprised to how little smell was generated. There are only two "burning ghats", where traditional cremations take place, and these were both in use. There is also an electrical crematorium close to the river banks as well.

As for the evening ceremonies; that's on the agenda for this evening, so hopefully I'll get some shots then.

I agree with you about the buildings needing more work and do plan to rework the images once we get home; I have rather limited edting capabilites on the road. Our backpacks are too full as it is, and living out of a backpack for a couple of months and having to have gear for weather conditions that run from tropical to alpine means we do have lots of clothes along.

[Manfred M]

Very nice, did you take the boat ride? One of the few tourist excursions that get you to the attraction during good lighting conditions.

Yes we did; having just the two of us on the boat was great. The number of tourists on these boats was quite amazing.