Despite visiting Varanasi on our first trip to India in 2007, we were really looking forward to returing and were not disappointed. It is one of the holiest cities in the Hindu faith. Those who die there immediately reach Nirvana and are freed from the cycle of reincarntion. Many who do not die here are brought to the Manikarnika (Cremation) Ghat to be put to rest.

Highlights included attending the aarti ritual and visiting Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first sermon. The aarti is a ceremony of light performed as an end to the day to thank and mark the end of Mother Ganges’ daily gifts.

We also had a chance to visit