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Attracted by the seeds/nuts etc showered by the pilgrims in the boat on the right, birds swarm to the area trying to find a spot amongst those already on the water picking up the goodies.
A swimmer in the Ganges thinks its time to beat a retreat as birds swarm around him attracted by the seeds/nuts etc thrown into the water by those standing on shore
A young life ends in a heart wrenching display rof customs - Burning Ghats Varanasi-20151202-1645-_35A0616-EditPE
Beggars line the steps on either side on the main path the visitors/devotees come by. Saffron as a colour, turbans and unkempt hair helps them look a bit like the holymen who abound hoping to appeal to the religiosity of the visitors if not their 'goodness' . . .
When I saw this child my thoughts immediately went to my grandson, who is, more or less, the same age. What's the difference between the two of them . . . nothing besides circumstances . . . The toy I bought for my grandson on his last birthday would probably pay for this kid's entire family's monthly rations. . . . Its possible to move on with a shrug of the shoulders muttering , "Guess that's life" but does it have to be like this for so many millions ??
I have seen some amazing/shocking photographs from the 'burning ghats' of Varanasi and was excited in a way when I went to one of these ghats yesterday. I saw this body of a young woman (early forties). I arrived while the chanting of religious hymns was going on and with the body placed amongst the wood.
For me the exposed feet and head were a big shock. Being a Sikh, I have seen many cremations within my close family and also of friends but I have never seen any part of the body left exposed before the pyre is set on fire. It was shocking for me and quite traumatic I must admit.
I stood around till the fire was lit and shot a few images of the feet but then I had to move away.
I did not have it in me to go towards the other side where the head lay exposed the head and part of the face covered in her garment. I know people have their customs and what have you but I do wish we would not make it so difficult for the loved ones let alone bystanders like me to witness the cremation.
I talked to the woman's young son and asked him how long he would stand there since in my family people stay till the pyre catches fire and then return the next day to collect the ashes.
He shocked me by saying they would stay on the ghats as long as it takes and then leave only after collecting the ashes for submersion in the waters.
I do wish electric crematoriums became the norm. In the major cities and towns there are many electric crematoriums available for those who would like to use them.
Maybe there is a messier place on the planet than the ghats of Varanasi . . . but I am yet to see it . . .
Don't you think of your mattress and your bed when you see this ??
During my trip to Varanasi, I was most affected by the destitute who spend the long day (they start before sunrise) on the ghats among the dead and those who have come to cremate them . . . hoping that in their sombre and, hopefully, kind-of-spiritual frame of mind, they will spare a coin or two for these living dead.
They live on the ghats - or in a combination of the ghats and the pavements of the streets leading to the ghats where so many of them sleep.
It is a terrible sight which must make us think . . . it must . . .
PS : This is a massive crop from a much larger image that captured a very wide area with many persons. This lady was not even a subject of that shot in the sense that the 'spot focus' I was using was not on her. It was on a person sitting on the ground, just outside the left edge of the frame here . . . This is what accounts for the much better sharpness on the utensils :)
Here is another homeless person I shared a cup of tea with very early one morning in Varanasi. He is in his mid 80's and the left part of his body is completely paralysed. He is living on a raised platform in one of the busy bazaars leading to the ghats. One of the men of the area who came over when he saw me sitting on his stone bed and talking to him, told me that they were all waiting for him to die since that would be the best thing to happen to him . . . I was shocked at the matter of fact manner in which he said this . . .
The saddest image of my Varanasi trip.
No it was not the woman whose feet and head were sticking out of her funeral pyre. That was terrible but at least she was not suffering. This mutt lying on the steps of the ghat was suffering like I have never ever seen any creature suffer. He was all skin and bones (as literally as you can imagine), he was trembling and shaking violently, and he was clenching and unclenching his death in obvious agony.
Of course, he was dying and had been lying there for a few days according to some people who frequent the ghats and yet no one was doing anything about it. It was probably too late to save him but atlas he need to be put to rest.
I rushed out of the ghat to ask the shop-keepers about any vets in the area. Everyone asked me why but no one showed any interest when I told them.
Why is a dog's life so worthless to a majority of Indians. It is a disgrace.
- 03213-20151205-_35A1685-Edit
Why do you think Varanasi ghats' steps are cleaned very regularly? For you and I to walk and even sit on clean steps ?
Not on your life ! It is for this . . . Even the dog is not amused.
Yes, that's what he is - a beggar . . . masquerading as a holi-man only to the extent of sporting a turban and unshorn facial hair and a couple of rosaries around his neck. It is enough for him to sit in rows of similarly attired men (and a few women) begging the visitors (mostly religious tourists) hoping their attire will help . . . it probably does . . .