Just 28 days now until Mom and I leave for our BIG adventure. And in 59 days, we will be in Varanasi where this picture was taken almost 120 years ago.
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is the holiest city for Hindus. For thousands of years, the faithful have brought the bodies of their loved ones here to be cremated, the ashes are then placed into the Ganges River. It is said that if you die in Varanasi, you are immediately released from the endless cycle of death and re-birth. While you are living, you can wash away all of your sins by taking a dip in the holy river. Yep, it's a pretty special place.
So, it didn't surprise me in the least when my dear friend Dorjee (who will be traveling with me and Mom for the majority of our time in India) suggested I take some of my father's ashes on our trip and sprinkle them in the Ganges. That's what his family had done after his mother died in Darjeeling. I thought it was a GREAT idea.
On my recent trip to Kansas, I floated the idea by Mom. I had already prepared her that we would be seeing bodies in various stages of cremation.
"Hey - ummmmm - you know, Varanasi is considered to be one of the holiest cities in the world."
"Really?"
"Yeah...it is. In fact, Hindus believe you can wash away all of your sins by taking a dip in the river there."
She turned to look at me. "With partially cremated bodies floating by?"
"Yeah, I guess we can just kind of look the other way. Buuuuut I was thinking.....maybe we could take some of Dad's ashes over with us and sprinkle them in the Ganges....that would be pretty incredible."
Her brow furrowed and in a similar tone I used with her when I told her I would NOT be wearing "disposable underwear" (see previous entries, hehehehe) she replied,
"NO WAY!! When I get to heaven and see your Dad, I want him to have ALL his 'parts'...I don't want him missing an arm because we sprinkled it in the Ganges River."
I burst out laughing. Bless her heart.
In Nepal, I went to Pashupathinath, it was very interesting to say the least. I must say.... You wont see bodies floating down the river, nor will you see their body parts :). you may see a person hitting the top of a deceased persons head to release their soul. It is the honor of the elder son to set it free. Also, there are usually people combing through the bottom of the river, they are seaking any treasures that may come such as gold fillings or precious hair barrets etc. The experience is Surreal to be sure.
ReplyDeleteSonia (i had to comment as Anonymous because i didnt have any of the necessary accounts).