Sitting on the banks of the Ganges, the city of Varanasi, considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, is the spiritual heart of India. A mixture of ancestral traditions, hippie or commercial tourism, the city of 88 ghatssteps going to the banks of the Ganges, is however still more spiritual than ever.
This report was financed thanks to the support of the international journalism fund Transat-The duty.
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In Varanasi, the month of October brings a special time for the city: post-monsoon. This period of heavy rain causes the waters of the Ganges to rise to such an extent that part of the old city is flooded. In the photo, a woman sells flowers at Dashashwamedh ghat, the city’s main ghat, where a high level of water can be seen. Adil Boukind Le Devoir
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A scene of life in Varanasi Adil Boukind Le Devoir
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Every day, at sunrise and sunset, religious ceremonies called Ārtī take place on the banks of the Ganges. This Hindu ritual consists of an offering during which people place flowers, among other gifts, on the edge of the river. Adil Boukind Le Devoir
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Normally there is a beach here, but due to the monsoon, part of the town is still flooded. Adil Boukind Le Devoir
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In Varanasi, it is not uncommon to see cows roaming the streets untethered. Adil Boukind Le Devoir
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A cremation session takes place at the “ghat” of Manikarnika. This place of contemplation and departure of souls is considered one of the holiest in Hinduism. Adil Boukind Le Devoir
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