Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · river

Pandits at Varanasi temple performs Ganga Arati as they sing songs songs in praise of Mother Ganga. An Aarti is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering.

Uttar Pradesh·river

Life on the Ganges is extremely vivid. From burning pyres of bodies being cremated on the ghats or riverfronts of the holy river Ganga to people washing clothes and goats feeding off the flowers on the banks of the river.

Uttar Pradesh·river

Babua Pandey Ghat built in memory and honor of the famous wrestler Babua Pandey in 1805. Very calm ghat, only dhobies and boats are to be seen here. "Vishnu Rest House" is a part of this ghat.

Uttar Pradesh·crafts

Gulam Sarohar Ansari weaving traditional Banarasi saree on a traditional wooden hand weaving loom in Varanasi.

Uttar Pradesh·bazaar · crafts

Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed.

Uttar Pradesh·river

One can see the early morning sunrise while boat ride on the river Ganga of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Priest performing early morning aarti and people taking holy dip in the river Ganga.

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · river

Ganga aarti is a spectacular ceremony that takes place everyday at the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi at the bank of the holy river Ganga.

Uttar Pradesh·river · ceremony

Early morning boat ride on the banks of holy river Ganges in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. One can see the Mankarnika Ghat while sailing down the Ganges.

Uttar Pradesh·bazaar · crafts

Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed.

Uttar Pradesh·temple

Indian Hindu pilgrims visit Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi of Rudraprayag district. This temple is very much similar to Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Uttar Pradesh

Yoga, the Indian art of exercise and meditation, can strengthen muscles, improve concentration and increase a sense of spiritual well-being, its practitioners claim.

Uttar Pradesh·festival

Foreign tourists and people of all faiths throw coloured powder and water at each other during Holi festival celebrations in Varanasi, India. Bright colours fill the air and people take turns in pouring colour water over each other.

Uttar Pradesh

Beautifully handcrafted bedsheets for sale in Varanasi, India. Varanasi, also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi, is an Indian city on the banks of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) south-east of the state capital, Lucknow…

Uttar Pradesh

Budhha statues and Tibetan rosaries being sold at a shop in Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Uttar Pradesh·livestock · boats

Sailing past the banks of the Ganga or Ganges to view at the Ghats of Banaras, we see pilgrims taking a boat ride ... and buffaloes going for a swim.

Uttar Pradesh

A roadside dentist in Varanasi working on a denture of a patient. Western dentists may earn US$500 to US$1000 per hour. This man works for US$30 per month and takes whatever fee a patient can give, or not.

Uttar Pradesh

Street dentistry is the unlicensed practice of dentistry in the street, usually for people who are unable to afford licensed dental care.

Uttar Pradesh·river

Enjoying boating on the banks of holy Ganges at Chet Singh Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. 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.

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony · river

A group of priests daily in the evening at this ghat perform "Agni Pooja" (Worship to Fire) wherein a dedication is made to Lord Shiva, River Ganga (the Ganges), Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe.

Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi also Benares, 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 holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism.

Uttar Pradesh·temple · river

Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir- This is very old temple of Lord Shiva, the main feature of this temple is the nandi made by the same stone from which the idol of Mahaganapati was made, & this Nandi was decorated by the garlands & other jewellery,…

Uttar Pradesh·festival · bazaar

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is also known as padmarajarathri. Alternate common names/spellings include Maha Sivaratri, Shivaratri, Sivarathri, and Shivaratri.

Uttar Pradesh·festival · ceremony

The most unique food related feature of Navaratri celebration is- BHANDARA. Bhandara is a huge gathering of people for the purpose of being served a feast.