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Varanasi is a pilgrimage site for many Hindus in India (and around the world) as it sits along the holy Ganges River. Along with Old Islamic Cairo in Egypt and the old part of Kathmandu in Nepal, Varanasi offers great photographic opportunities with every step.
These two Varanasi posts include a lot of my favorite shots, while the side trip to Sarnath offers views of the site where Buddha gave his first sermon.
An Early Morning Visit to Sarnath
A Sunset Stroll Along the Ghats
Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.
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Dave
Monday 2nd of November 2009
Andi - there were a few other westerners walking around, looking just as overwhelmed by the scene as I was.
India = sensory overload
Dave
Sunday 1st of November 2009
Andi - there were a few other westerners walking around, looking just as overwhelmed by the scene as I was.
India = sensory overload
GlobalButterfly
Sunday 1st of November 2009
So cool Dave!!! I would have loved to have sat on those steps for a couple of hours, listening to the music, and soaking it all in. Looks like you were the only Westerner there!
Jennifer @ ApproachGuides
Sunday 1st of November 2009
Hi Dave, I don't know if you had the wrong attitude...it is a DIRTY place and takes some extreme focus to see the place differently. We stayed at a guesthouse inside the city, but quite honestly, never found a decent restaurant to go to, so we ended up rickshawing it out to the tourist hotels outside of town. Sometimes you do what you need to do!
Dave
Saturday 31st of October 2009
Hi Jen, I've heard a lot of people say they love Varanasi, however it wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe I love the romantic image of it in my mind - the reality of having boots (or flip-flops) on the ground there was a different story. I'd heard enough about it that I probably had the wrong attitude from the start. At least I didn't get violently ill! :)