Varansi

Street scene-Varansi 

Varansi- old city on the banks of the |Ganges- holy city- near the place were Buddah started his religion.As it is old it is dirty and crowded. Streets are littered with trash, cow dung and people.But it has an appeal and a strangeness all it's own.
My hotel was about 2 km from the river so it required an autorickshaw ride to get there[ at least so I knew where I was going.In addition to autorickshaws there are bike rickshaws manned mostly by farmers from the country looking for easy? money- mostly no english and unsure of where to go.I think they upped the price when they saw my size- don't blame them it is hard work peddling a large white guy with a camera.
My first experience in Varanasi was an early morning river cruise in row boat! about 50 minutes to an hour and a half  to watch the sunrise on the river as the banks start the morning din. People bathing in the river, others washing clothing- dogs, goats, kids,old folk all looking like they were the only ones there.

Casting off

From the river to the ghats

Early morning on the ghats

You should see this later in the day!

Washing in the Ganges

Sunrise

Cremation site

Morning ritual

Sadhu

Sadhu closer up

Next post will be weaving in Varanasi