Gangs River - varanasi - TravBuddy

During my trip to India in March of 2007 I got the chance to go to the city Varanasi. Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in India where the Ganges River runs through it. The Ganges River is considered the most sacred river in all of India. Hindus believe that the river was sent down from heaven and that the river has special healing powers. If you are Hindu you are supposed to visit the Ganges twice, once while you are alive, and then when you die you are supposed to be cremated there and have your ashes scattered into the river. The Burning Ghats are all along the river banks are where the cremation happens. I have never in my entire life seen a place filled with so much emotion, passion, and so many people. The Indians do everything in the river. The burn bodies, they bath, they was their cloths, everything. As polluted and dirty the water is, it is very beautiful. Every evening there are several Hindu ceremonies where thousands of people come to give thanks to the river. The river is their source of life and I couldn't help but come to tears because it was so amazing.
Varanasi is also great for other things as well. You can find some of the best curry and silk walking through the narrows. The narrows are the oldest part of the city with tiny streets lined with stores. I was there in March and it was pretty hot and humid then, so I wouldn't suggest going in the summer.