Sunrise on the Ganges

As we leave the hotel at 5am, the tooting has already started on the roads but nothing like yesterday. Rollers are down on businesses and the hawkers and wanderers are not our and about yet. Where yesterday it took us 60 minutes to venture down to the river, this morning it is only 10.

But there is some movement in this holy city. Cows are starting to move as well as the dogs as they look to survive anotther day amongst the crowds, traffic and rubbish. Traffic police man what will be chaotic intersections and the auto rickshaw s are taking people to where they need to be.

we are heading to the Ganges to view the sunrise! To witness the long rituals of awakening the gods for the day is something that many will see on tv but not in person.

At just past 5:10, a row of vendor carts are starting to make their way along the road to their place of business for the day.

Venturing off the bus and walking through the streets of Varanasi we walk the back lanes stopping for Masala Chai and toothbrushes. people were heading towards the river.

As we walk down the steps to the river men and women are already making their way up, well before sunrise, having had their cleansing and praying to the gods for the day ahead.

Along the river we cruise to view the different ghats and see the all along thousands making this daily ritual for locals and a lifetime pilgrimage for others.

Upon the cremation ghat was the ritual of cremating the body of a loved one while others stack the firewood for the day’s piles that will be required for later cremations. Cows wandered through the ashes from last night’s piles looking for food.

As the sun rose slowly over the river and the Holy City, more and more people came to the river, carrying bottles, cups or some other container so they can take river water back to either loved ones or back to their temples for others to pray with.

The back streets now are coming alive. Vendors are opening, washing and ironing being done and streets being swept. But at each little shrine through these streets people will pause or at least acknowledge the shrine’s presence.