Varanasi

The India that I have got to known so far is a big getting out of the way. Watch out Bus, Auto Rikshaw, Bike Rikshaw, two wheelers, cows, mad cows, cars, beggars... Arriving in Varanasi we found a new sensation to get out of the way. Watch out, Corps!
People literally drop dead when they reach the holy city. What happens next, they get burnt (it takes 3 hours to burn a prepared body) and their ashes and some hip or chest bones are thrown into the Ganga, the holiest of all ivers. Thre are some exceptions. The following do not get burnt>:
Children, pregnant women, lepers, Snake bitten deads, and animals. These dont need or are not allowed to get purified by burning. They get dumped in the river just like they are.
Strangely enough, people from Varanasi go to the Ghats of the Ganga and bath and swim in there and even brush their teeth there.
The body burning is very surreal. You see a face in the flames but it is more like there s a person in the fire, but not actually on fire. It is also surprising that this doesnt smell extremly disgusting. The cow shit and man piss is much worse.




Auto Rickshaw and Rickshaw are the most widely available public transport within Varanasi. In outer regions of the city, mini-buses are common. Small boats and small steamers are used to cross the river Ganga. Varanasi is well connected by air, rail and buses with all the important places of India. Its distance from Delhi is about 700 Kms. The airport is about 25 km from the city center.





I can recommend Hotel HAIFA, especially for the AWESOME restaurant. It located at Assi Ghat, Varanasi in a peaceful environment within the heartthrob of the city but far madding crowed. It is just 5kms from railway station and bus stand and 28 kms from airport. It'll be love at first sight the moment you enter your luxurious guest room. Where colorful island décor, sophisticated amenities, and beds as soft as a lover's touch create an ambiance that's comfortable and seductively inviting.