Driving through the city of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh

From the archive record

As one drivers by, life unfurls and unfolds in a multitude of mind-boggling ways for the people of Varanasi or Benarus, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Pedestrians, cycle rickshaws, auto or three wheeled rickshaws and more all coalesce into a massive melee that somehow doesn't lead to any real chaos - it all sorts out in the end and everyone gets to where they are headed! Varanasi / Banaras, is a city on the banks of the Ganges (Ganga) in Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) southeast of the state capital, Lucknow. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the olde