the business of death

death in Varanasi

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April 18th 2006
The presence of death in Varanasi is seen mainly from the colossal Marnikarnika Ghat which burns 24 hours a day as well as a smaller burning ghat a little further down stream. At Dasaswamadh Ghat there are people who will shave the heads of others who have lost loved ones. For a ghat that is supposed to be burning 24 hours a day I noticed there was nothing but ashes this morning. So I just st ... read more

Asia » India » Uttar Pradesh » Varanasi

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The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab in... ... read more