We were up before the crack of dawn to see the sun rise
over the Ganges and to see worshippers bathing at the Ghats along the river. The bus drove part way and then it was tight
rickshaws to the waterfront where we boarded a boat. We spent a good couple of hours on the boat
going up and down the river.
The buildings and waterfront was beautiful from the river.
The buildings and waterfront was beautiful from the river.
We saw a number of people out doing laundry in the river (water looked pretty dirty to us) and spreading what appeared to be sheets out on the steps of the Ghat.
We saw an interesting photo shoot where a young woman carefully and slowly poured water (we think) from a vase into the river...over and over again.
The crowds along the river were huge and spread for what appeared to be miles.
It was fun trying to pick out little groupings or interesting people out of the crowd.
Many people were sending their little floating oil lamps out into the Ganges.
We headed back through the streets to the hotel for some free time.
After Jessica left for the airport and her trip home we headed to the café for lunch, then to the room to rest. About 3:30 we were back in the traffic headed for the river. Dev Deepawali is a major festival so there was tons of traffic out, with near gridlock in some places. You know the traffic is bad when even the motor cycles can’t seem to get through.
By the time we got back to the river it was beginning to get
dark with lots of small boats pulled up to the Ghats to pick up passengers.
The steps on the Ghats were covered with strings of lights to brighten the buildings and tens of thousands of small oil lamps burning along the banks of the river.
This, coupled with tens of thousands of people and fireworks, made for a colorful evening.
The steps on the Ghats were covered with strings of lights to brighten the buildings and tens of thousands of small oil lamps burning along the banks of the river.
This, coupled with tens of thousands of people and fireworks, made for a colorful evening.
We got to light our own oil lamps and set them adrift on the Ganges.
We also saw a lot of candles being sent aloft.
Just as we docked for dinner at a riverside rooftop restaurant the boat sprung a leak. The poor boatman was still bailing when we left. We had a chance to get a look at the oil lamps up close.
We took a motorized boat back and then tuk-tuks to the bus and then home. It was a very colorful and memorable day.
More photos of Varanasi Ghats
We also saw a lot of candles being sent aloft.
Just as we docked for dinner at a riverside rooftop restaurant the boat sprung a leak. The poor boatman was still bailing when we left. We had a chance to get a look at the oil lamps up close.
We took a motorized boat back and then tuk-tuks to the bus and then home. It was a very colorful and memorable day.
More photos of Varanasi Ghats
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