Varanasi
One of the holiest cities in India and considered profoundly spiritual in Hinduism, Varanasi, the Spiritual Capital of India, remains a favorite amongst pilgrims and religious followers. People visit the ghats that mark the city and edge the mighty Ganges to bathe in the river’s holy water. It is said that bathing in the river helps wash away all sins of the past.
The Ganges also remains the most pristine water body in religious texts and culture, and consequently, Varanasi’s ghats become one of the most sacred places for funeral rites and cremating loved ones. Fascinating as it seems, the Ghats and the Ganges provide one of the most spiritual experiences – both tourists and locals swear by it.
The city seems to hold an uncanny capacity for customs and rites amalgamated with culture, attracting people from all walks of life. The idea being that dying here will lead to liberation from all the sufferings of existence and the cycle of death and rebirth – Moksha. Despite the discomforting sight of bodies burning at pyres, the City of Light runs on magic and spirit that only adds to its allure.
Spending nights on the steep stairs leading to the Ganga or walking the Ghats can be a wholesome experience altogether, made unforgettable on being in the tryst with the workings of existence. The Manikarnika Ghat, Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi ghat are some of the few places you must visit on your trip to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.