We figured out how to book train tickets online, and left
Bodh Gaya very early to catch a train to Varanasi. We were on a waiting list, and were glad when
our actual seats were confirmed by SMS message to our local phone. The train
station in nearby Gaya was jammed at 4:30 in the morning when we arrived. The
train was an hour late so we spent time talking with a Jain family who were
making their own pilgrimage trip. We had booked ahead a room in the Hotel Surya
for two nights, and they offered pick up service from the train station, so we
had an easier time getting to the hotel (since the train station was jammed). The
hotel is an old colonial mansion that was converted years ago, and it is charming.
There was a 3 day wedding going on at the hotel, with elaborate
decorations.
Varanasi is an ancient city built on the Ganges river. The Ganges
is a very holy place for Hindus, and there are many rituals that are performed
there, such as cremation, praying and bathing.
Through our yoga study we have been exposed to some of the
Hindu gods. The river is named for the goddess Ganga, who rides a crocodile.
Shiva is the most important god in the Hindu pantheon, and there are a many
Shiva lingam shrines and pictures of Shiva.
Our favorite Hindu god is Hanuman, the monkey king, who
represents dedication. The name for the splits pose in yoga is Hanumanasana, as
the yogi is leaping forward into the unknown, a move which takes flexibility and
also faith. We saw both Hanuman shrines and pictures of Hanuman.
Varanasi is a colorful place. Even the laundry was rich with
colors. The boy is flying a kite, and we saw many kites in the air as we
walked.
We took a ride in a boat at dusk, and were awed by the
beauty of the river when it was lit with floating candles. We enjoyed watching
a ceremony/performance that included chanting, ringing bells, burning incense and
waving candles.
This Hindu family was in a boat next to ours, and they were
doing puja (offerings) and prayers with their candles. They let us bless
ourselves with the smoke before they set the candles into the river.
Because it was the full moon, this temple had lit hundreds
of candles on the steps leading down to the river.
Tomorrow we are back to our Buddhist pilgrimage, but we’re
glad we spent a few days here so we could experience the power of mother Ganges
(Maha Ganga) and the bustling pace of Varanasi.