The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
January 24 - Sunset on the Ganges
The car took us as far as it could but at the edge of the old town the road became too narrow for even a small car. Then pedi-cabs were the only option (we walked) until the alleyways became too narrow even for those. We were fortunate to have acquired Jitendra Pandeyoog as our guide or we never would have found our way through the maze of narrow alleys. Eventually we came out onto one of the ghats (steps) down to the Ganges where Jitendra helped us negotiate for a boatman to take us along the riverfront.
The river after sunset is frantic with activity. Children hop from boat to boat selling small candles that you float on the river as a tribute to the gods. The burrning ghats (cremation sites) work 24 hours a day and the ancient buildings and temples along the river are lighted, giving the whole scene an other-worldly quality.
Hindu priests conduct a religious ceremony every night on this site ... a tradition that has continued for thousands of years.
© 2009 Restaurant Doctor
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