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Published: March 12th 2009
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On arriving from the 13 hour night train from Agra Varanasi was a joy to behold, I've arrived just in time for the Holi festival which as you've guess is a holy festival. I met some new chums in Asra the previous night so there were 5 of us who got on the train to Varanasi.
For those of you who don't know Varanasi (City of shiva) is arguably the holiest paces in India lying on the banks of the River Ganges. This where many followers from all across India come to be cremated, it is said that if this happens then you will break the cycle of being reborn so you won't come back as something else. Everything here is focused around the ghats in the river, these are basically stone steps that lead down to the river where people bathe, wash the clothes and everything else in it. Although the water has enough crap in it to be used as a biological weapon people bathe in the holy waters as is cleans their souls!!
There's also the burning ghat here which is full of piles of wood that is used to make the fires on which the
bodies are placed, you aren't allowed to take pictures here - but I couldn't help myself. It seems that a guy saw me taking a pic and caught up with me as I walked back - he grabbed hold of me but I carried on walking at the same time - he said I offended the family and wanted 500 rupees - I denied all knowledge and carried on walking and he soon gave up - Ive offended every other religion recently might as well add Hinduism to the list:-)
Incidentally the reason why the dogs are treated so bad here is that in their religion someone who is not generous in their life will be be reincarnated as a dog as they will always be having to beg people for their food. That's me screwed then I hope I come back to life in the UK rather than India.
The Holi festival is one of ther biggest festivals and everyone gets drunk and high as a kite, apparently its not safe for women to go around in the day as they get even more attention than usual. Everybody we met said not to go out of the
hotel until 15:00 as there might be trouble I kept saying that I've been out drinking in Blackpool but he didn't quite understand.
Every night here there's a mini festival at the main ghat which is pretty cool, its supposed to mean something but don't ask me what.
I'm off on a boat ride down the ghats tonight with my German chums Katharina and Christian and then chill back on their balcony before heading off to Nepal as the festival will still be taking place I'm not sure if there are any buses to the border so fingers crossed.
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