November 4, 2024
We left the hotel at 5:00 am to head back to the Ganges to experience the sunrise and the ritual bathing of the pilgrims. As we arrived the streets were already chaotic!!
We watch a morning prayer then started weaving our way through the pilgrims to our boat to explore the Ganges in the morning light. The pilgrims were walking into the Ganges to dunk themselves in the holy water. For a Hindu this is a sacred journey and they feel blessed to experience it.
We passed by the cremation grounds from last night the fires were still burning and smoldering and families were preparing their loved one for the final ritual.
As we returned to shore I went to a Hindu priest to receive a blessing. The energy of the shore is electric as pilgrims receive the cleansing of their sins from the water then receive blessing from the priests. No words can describe the intensity of the experience.
Mid-morning, we’ll drove to the ancient Buddhist learning center of Sarnath. Here, Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon to his disciples. We visited the Sarnath Museum, which houses some of the great treasures of Indian Buddhist art, including Ashoka’ Lion Capital—the National Emblem of India—and the magnificent Teaching Buddha, and the most beautiful sculptures in the world. We explored the excavated Buddhist stupas and pillars unearthed during the British archaeological explorations in 1836.
In the temple we received a blessing by the Buddhist monk. Then we walked the grounds and sat on the bench where Buddha taught his first followers.
Our last stop of the day was at a silk weaver. They create intricate patterns using looms from the early 19th century.
Tonight was our farewell dinner so our tour director provided a suree and a dresser to help us get ready. We had a lot of fun getting dressed and then experience wearing them. A perfect ending to and incredible trip!
I came to India for the tigers but the trip has evolved into a spiritual journey that has renewed my soul. I am so blessed to be living my dream!!!
Hope that you have enjoyed my journey! Thanks for sharing it with me.
