With my time in Varanasi drawing to a close, I felt I should get a better understanding of India's most sacred burial site where many Hindu's also finish up.
Manikarnika Ghat (मणिकर्णिका घाट) is famous for it's pyres which burn 24/7, 365 days a year, and are said to have never gone out since they were first lit around 3000 years ago.
Apparently as many as 100 bodies are cremated at the mouth of the river ganges (ganga) every day, requiring a colossal amount of firewood and commitment from the people tasked with this macabre occupation.
Those dressed in white are often the family members of those being laid to rest, and wishing 'moksha' (salvation from earthly reincarnation) for their loved ones.
Whilst it was tricky for me to film given consideration for the environment I was operating in, I nonetheless wanted to document this fascinating encounter. With Varanasi said to be amongst the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, I was in for some real culture.
After that there was time to get a closer look at the ganga with a boat down the river, having narrowly avoided a close shave with a disingenuous street barber.
I wrapped things up with a return to the most spiritual of Hindu celebrations in ganga aarti where I met lots of friendly Indian people and ended my day on a high.
#india #varanasi #rammandir #manikarnikaghat
▬▬▬▬▬
📖 C H A P T E R S
00:00 Intro from Varanasi
01:00 Firewood
02:40 First Impressions of Manikarnika Ghat
08:13 Heading for a Boat Ride
09:54 Kind Message from Hindu Man
11:04 A close shave with scam barber
15:51 Boat Ride on the Ganges
23:00 Ganga Arti (Evening Celebration)
▬▬▬▬▬
🔗 K E Y L I N K S
I've written a book! 📚 It's called "Invested Adventure: My Map to Wealth, Health & Happiness" - download your FREE copy below!
📚 FREE eBook: https://investedadventure.ck.page/ebook
💹 $100K stock portfolio: https://etoro.tw/3QJ6bcF
📷 Instagram: https://instagram.com/InvestedAdventure
(Disclaimer: eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply)