Trip to India & Nepal - Varanasi - A Few More Shots

A cow on a platform by a tree in front of our hotel.

Another cow just taking a break in the crowded alleys of the old town

A tree growing out of the building in the old town

A washer wallah set up with his laundry and his iron...powered by coals...in the old section. He proudly posed for this photo.

Shops on a corner.

A fancy decorated horse on the way to a wedding. It was wedding time in India and Nepal and we saw several of these and heard lots of fireworks.

The groom rides to the brides house on these at the beginning of the festivities.

More outside stalls and a street food vendor.

A busy street market.

A bicycle rickshaw driver taking a nice nap in front of the Varanasi Train Station.

Barb and Michael talking to a group of locals on the platform waiting for the train.The porters (in red) carry incredible loads.

Barb used an air mattress to improve the comfort of her upper bunk. The trains furnish clean linens, blankets and pillows but we also brought our own.

Trip to India & Nepal - Varanasi Part 3

The main Ghat.

More bathers.

There are always lots of washer wallahs along the river, beating their clothes on stones then spreading them out on the steps to dry.

And still more bathers.

Our boatman.


A smaller Burning Ghat.

For most Hindu's bathing in the Ganges is part of a religious ritual.

The boat launch area at Assi Ghat near our hotel.

A really pretty temple. After our river ride we ate a lovely breakfast at the hotel , checked out, stored our bags at the train station and headed for the narrow alleys of the old section of town.

They are only wide enough for motorcycles...and cows of course.

A main street.

Lots of food stalls.

And two adorable (very dirty) children selling flowers.

The man peeking over the rim was a soldier helping guard that alley which holds the Golden Temple (there are many more soldiers inside) which has terrorist scares. He pulled down his face mask when I asked him if I could take his photo.

After our walk we took cycle rickshaws back to the train station.

They are an excellent way to cruise along the streets at a slow pace and really see what's going on.

A roadside restaurant.

And a monkey on the roof.
The busy Varanasi train station.

We boarded the overnight train to Agra and Barb made herself comfortable on her top bunk.

India & Nepal Trip - Varanasi Part 2

It was still not quite light when we approached the main Burning Ghat---where the majority of cremations are performed.

This temple has been tilting for quite awhile.

The sun begins to come up.

We continue up the river for another half hour or so before turning around the the journey back to the hotel.

The activity along the shore picks up.

We pass the Burning Ghat again.

And see a lot more people bathing in the river.