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Varanasi Pages by Hmmmm
Tips 1 - 2 of 2 Varanasi Tourist Traps
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Tourist Trap: Morning Bathers in the Ganga (Ganges)
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o Hindus, the Ganges is a deity and represents a deity at the same time. The Waters of the Ganga the most important river in India, purify. Hence returning your body to the Ganga wfater you die is an act of purification from life's deeds, washing and bathing in the ganga is also an act of Purification. Many Hindus begin their day with a bath or a swim in the Putrid Ganges.
Why? Well it is believed that the Ganges Comes Down To Earth from Heaven. A legend from the Ramayana speaks of King Bhagirath who once meditated before Lord Brahma for a thousand years for the salvation of the souls of his ancestors. Pleased with his devotion Brahma granted him a wish. He requested the Lord to send the river Ganges down to earth from heaven so that she could flow over his ancestors' ashes and wash their curse away and allow them to go to heaven. Brahma granted his wish but asked him to pray to Shiva, for he alone could support the weight of her descent. Accordingly he prayed to Shiva and he allowed the Ganges to descend on his head, and after meandering through his thick matted locks, the holy river reached the earth. This story is re-enacted by bathing the linga.
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At Least Do This: Don't put any of this water near your mouth, it is EXTREMELY rife with Microbial life, pollutants and other nasties. Everything goes into this river. Injestion is an express ticket to Hospital. Be Careful
Alternative: Take a Shower in your hotel. Even if the water is cold.
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Tourist Trap: Learn the Tricks of India Rail.
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One time we had to get a train to Tundlar Station from Mughal Serai Station. Now where is Tundlar? Where is Mughal Serai? Good Questions.
Tundlar Station is a small town 50km south of Agra. Mughal Serai is a small town 10km south of the Ganges from Varanasi's Kashi Train Station.
We went this way because getting a seat on a Train from Varanasi to Agra (two huge destinations in India) can take weeks. I met many tourists who had been trying for days. The staff won't help you set your route. Not at all. They require you to fill out a reservation form, and queue up and present it to the clerk. If that reservation is not available then you have to try and make another one for another day or time and get back in queue. To the busy tourist thisis preposterous!
What should you do?
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At Least Do This: Consult your 'Trains at a Glance' think laterally, and fill out a number of reservation forms. Starting of course with your preferred train first, your second choice reservation and so on. Remarkably the Indian rail clerks didn't mind this. In fact I think they respected our use of their system. It worked well. We always got a seat. Even if our journey waqsn't as direct as it could have been. Taxi's are cheap aren't they in India.
Alternative: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
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Join a Discussion dry fruit stores
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 Comments for Hmmmm about Varanasi | | | | |
Rupanworld Mon Jul 23, 2007 13:10 UTC
Good tips, good photos, and great deal of history behind everything. Loved your pages. My own tour of Varanasi was an unforgettable experience I love to share with everybody. | gilabrand Fri May 11, 2007 11:43 UTC
Interesting customs tip, especially the one about the Israeli...LOL | mskwan Fri Apr 13, 2007 21:38 UTC
Great information and wonderful pictures. They really help in my trip planning. Thanks. | spitball Sat Nov 11, 2006 06:29 UTC
Excellent report on this Ghat in Marnikarnika. I shall have to see these for myself one of these days. |
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on Feb 11, 2005
