Varanasi photos

Some photos from my recent trip to Varanasi in India...

Year of the Cat

This (and Ventura Highway) always remind me of traveling.

Wordless Wednesday

Puja

There were many devotees on the banks of the Ganges offering puja, or offerings to the god's. These are the activities in each ceremony:

1. The deity is invited to the ceremony.
2. The deity is offered a seat.
3. The deity is asked if the journey has gone well.
4. The deity’s feet are symbolically washed.
5. Water is offered so the deity may wash face and teeth.
6. Water is offered for sipping.
7. The deity is offered a water-and-honey drink.
8. Water is offered for symbolic bathing.
9. Here a cloth may be wrapped around the image and ornaments affixed to it.
10. Perfumes and ointments are applied to the image.
11. Flowers are offered before the image, or garlands draped around its neck.
12. Incense is burned before the image.
13. A burning lamp is waved in front of the image.
14. Foods such as cooked rice, fruit, clarified butter, sugar, and betel leaf are offered.
15. The worshipper and family bow or prostrate themselves before the image to offer homage.
16. The deity is dismissed.

Lucknow Station 3 a.m.

Bejewelled beggars,
Beseiged clerks.
Fatigued soldiers,
Naked children lie on the dirty marble floor near hopeless mothers in the strip light safety of the booking hall.

Lucknow station 3 a.m.