Before Dawn at the Ganges River

Our last day in India. Tomorrow most of us would fly to Nepal. We started out before sunrise this morning to see the Ganges River when the sun was rising. Many other visitors were doing the same thing. We started out at the Dasahvamedha Ghat, the most sacred site in Varanasi, where the sacred prayer ceremony was held last night.

The Manikarnika Ghat

We boated along the Ganges to the Manikarnika Ghat, one of the ghats where cremations are held. The funeral pyres are going both day and night.

Sunrise Over the Ganges

The sun rising over the Ganges is quite a sight.

The Dasashvamedha Ghat

The colorful Dasashvamedha Ghat seen from the Ganges.

On the Ganges

One can wash away all their sins by bathing in the Ganges. The water was warm.

I put my photos of the Ganges River on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/day–10a–varanasi/

(Slide Shows, Asia, India, “Day 10A: Varanasi”).

The New Vishwanath Temple

After viewing the Hindu sacred Ganges River, we visited Sarnath, outside Veranasi, a Buddhist pilgrimage center. Our first stop was at the New Vishwanath Temple.

The Thai Buddha Vihar

Many Buddhist countries have built temples in Sarnath, among them Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Sir Lanka, and Myanmar. This one was a Thai temple with a very tall Standing Buddha.

The Dharmek Stupa

The Dharmek Stupa was built to commemorate where Buddha gave his first sermon after he attained enlightenment. There are also ruins here of an ancient Buddhist monastery.

Buddhists in India make up only 0.8% of the population even though this is Buddhism’s birthplace in the 6th century BC. As Buddhism spread to Central Asia and China, it declined in India due to the White Hun invasion and the Muslim conquest of India.

Sarnath Archaeological Museum

We visited the Sarnath Archaeological Museum but weren’t allowed to take photos inside it. However, there are a number of photos of the items from the monastery ruins near the Dharmek Stupa in the museum on their website: sarnathmuseumasi.org. I borrowed this photo from there. It is a four–head lion that originally was onto of a pedestal in front of the Dharmek stupa, which was broken during the Turk Islamic invasion. The four–headed lion survived and is the national emblem of India.

The Mulagandhakuti Vihara

Our last stop was at the Mulagandhakuti Vihara temple which has many murals depicting the important events in Buddha’s life.

I have put my photos of the Buddhist temples of Sarnath on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/day–10b–sarnath/

(Slide Shows, Asia, India, “Day 10B: Sarnath”).

Seen on the Street on Our Drive to the Temples

Bounce, The Barber Shop.

Seen on the Street on Our Drive to the Temples

The poster showing various men’s haircuts.

Seen on the Street on Our Drive to the Temples

The Amazing Face beauty salon: Look Beautiful Every Day.

Seen on the Street on Our Drive to the Temples

Goats in the middle of the street.

Seen on the Street on Our Drive to the Temples

Decorated house.

Seen on the Street on Our Drive to the Temples

Motor scooter market. There were many more for sale besides these.

Our Farewell Dinner

Our farewell dinner––that is, farewell to those not traveling with us to Nepal––was held at a kebob restaurant at our hotel. Photo of the sauces that came with never–ending servings of meat and chicken. So very good.

Our Dessert

Ices, not very sweet, for dessert.