A trip on the Ganges

rnrn6.30 am found us in a boat on the Ganges in time for the sun rise over the river. It was an awesome sight and nothing we had been told about it would prepare us for its splendour.rnrnrnrnWhilst out in the boat we also had a glimpse of the role that Mother Ganga plays in the lives of the people in Varanasi. We saw many people bathing in the river, meditating and participating in early morning prayer as well as washing their clothes. We leave the pictures to speak for themselves.rnrnrnrnrnrnWe left the row boat by the oldest part of the city, reputably the oldest living city in the world, and climbing up from the riverbank through unbelievably narrow alleyways, arrived at a Hindu temple with a gold dome.rnrnrnrnA hearty breakfast (and a spicy one) was waiting for us back at the hotel as was the coach to take us to Sarnath, 10 km outside of Varanasi. Sarnath is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after his Enlightenment to his original five disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism. It was the same disciples who had made their way to Sarnath, which was a cultural centre, after they had become disillusioned with Buddha when he was sitting under the Bhodi tree seeking Enlightenment. After his Enlightenment Buddha went in search of these men and preached to them about the Circle Of Life. He then sent them out to spread his teachings. Sarnath is the cradle of Buddhism and a major Buddhist pilgrimage centre.rnrnrn