Cow donation ritual: Crossing the mythical river, Vaitarni
In Greek mythology, River Styx had to be crossed to reach life after death. The only way to cross the Styx was in a ferryboat rowed by a an old boatman named Charon. The boatman would only take a soul if their bodies had received funereal rites on earth. Charon the ferryman also demanded to […]
Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan
Bishop Heber who visited Banaras in 1824, described how every year: Many scores… of pilgrims from all parts of India, come hither expressly to end their days and secure their salvation. They purchase two large Kedgeree pots between which they tie themselves, and when empty these support their weight in water. Thus equipped, they paddle […]
देव दीपावली (त्रिपुरी पूर्णिमा), काशी
आज गलियों में गुज़रती इस भीड़ के संग आगे बढ़ते हुए, ऐसा लगा की गंगा जी इन गालियों में बेह रही है, और जा कर खुद में ही समा जाएंगी। मानो की, गली में यादव जी (जिनका खीरकदम लाजवाब है) को प्रणाम भी हम उसी भीड़ में बेहते हुए किये। कुछ दिन पेहले ये लोग अपनी […]
“rays at ease” at Hanuman Ghat, Varanasi
A vision at the Hanuman Ghat in Kashi (Varanasi) on the occasion of the festival of lights (Diwali). The steps which bring thousands of pilgrims down to the Ganga river all day long – are now at rest. Dancing as one with it’s shadows.
