Known in the West as Benares, the Hindu name is Varanasi.
It is one of the oldest cities in the world, the city where the fire never goes out. For 2,500 years the same fire has been burning in the temple above the main cremation area. This flame is used to light the torches for all cremations.
Varanasi is the Rome of the Hindus. We come here on pilgrimage to contemplate the sacred river, immerse ourselves in the Ganges to purify ourselves, wash away our sins and we also come there to die.
Bénarès is an atmosphere and colors. Special atmosphere imbued with spirituality, calm, plenitude. For the colors it is … pastel.
Benares cannot be visited. We walk there, we stroll there, we blend in with the crowds of the morning for the ablutions, with the evening crowd for the spectacle of the monks and the fire and at any time to attend the cremations.
I deposit here the photos, the videos and let you stroll among them…
You will see the Ghats (flights of steps leading down to the river), the Ganges, Hindu ablutions, cremations, a dead pig floating along the banks, a few surprises and the pastel-colored atmosphere…