Ritual cremations are an ongoing process in Varanasi 24/7. There are two methods for cremation. Traditional cremation done along the ghats on the Ganges river using pyres of different heights relating to ones financial status generally. More wood under you costs more and ensures a more complete cremation as the dogs do come around looking for scraps. Most cannot afford such luxury and the second choice is to be cremated in the electric crematorium (note the dual stacks on the building on the left).
After a very long night, the sadhus and naga babas finally took a break around 8am from their rituals involving noise and a a presumed meditation practice of constantly ringing a bronze bell while keeping his head inside it. The guest house I stayed in was to the right of the crematorium.
The morning after these fires had run their course. Dogs and birds roam about on the edge of the ghat steps and beach areas looking for tidbits. The ashes and all are pushed into the river assuring rapid ascension for the deceased as Varanasi is the holiest city in India. For those that cannot afford to be cremated in some way end up in the river as human flotsam. So with that in mind, know that there is much more to Varanasi than cremations and death, nonetheless, I'm certain you can tell that it is not a vacation destination in the traditional sense.
(you decide... b/c I'm not sure)
It is frowned upon to photograph these cremations up close and do keep this in mind if you visit. Nonetheless, you will see unrelated people or tourists snapping photos, but that doesn't make it acceptable. Worse still would be posting those photographs.
These images are making their debut here. Thank you Steemit for giving me inspiration to share my work.
be well, Conrad (
(I've placed a referral link on my site: http://conradolivier.com - see the steemit link)