JMTMD's World

Thursday, February 16, 2012

恆河夜色

Night Descends on the Ganges

Varanasi, India

(click pictures to enlarge)

JMTMD

Wei said...: Dear Joe,

Amzing pictures of beggars and the flames from funeral pyres?

Wei; 5:07 PM
JT said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6:24 PM
JT said...: Dear Wei:

You are absolutely right!

There are over 80 ghats along the Ganges River in Varanasi. These ghats are "steps" leading to the River. Cremation takes place right on the "steps", day and night. At night the pyres look like huge bonfires with smoke and sparks rinsing to the sky. The ashes are dumped directly into the river, along with parts of the body that are not completely cremated. The river bank is full of pilgrims. They wash, pray, and bathe in the River. The crowd and noise and stench are overwhelming. I have never seen spectacle like this. It was, indeed, surreal.

Joe; 6:26 PM
Wei said...: Wow, how similar it is to the pilgrims making the trip to Jerusalem to die and waited for the Judgement Day to be resurrected. It turned Jerusalem into a city of charnel house.

Wei; 9:45 PM