Varanasi was the next stop on the magical mystery/religious tour. Goodbye peaceful Buddha, hello colourful cacophany of Hindu deities and rituals. With the holy waters of the Ganges flowing past it, Varanasi's riverfront was an interesting venue for people watching, and all the spiritual activities that go with it. Pilgrims and locals come to the river to swim, worship, perform morning ablutions, do yoga, complete their laundry, play cricket, pray, do breathing exercises, fish, fly kites, cleanse and cremate their loved ones, to list a few of the activities that you can see in the course of a day. Varanasi was more than just a river. As one of the ancient cities of the world, the old city was a great place to wander the maze of narrow alleyways and temples, while avoiding the occasional bovine
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