Located in central India, Varanasi city has over 3,000 years of history. It is considered the “Holy Land” of Hinduism. In a country like India, where more than 80% of the population is Hindu, the section of the Ganges (Gangas) river flowing through this city attracts many devotees. Here many of them wish to have a bath in the cool water once, and it is here that they allow the river to carry off cremated ashes, hoping to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
 
The Ganges River, for me, is also quite familiar through several pilgrimages to the land of Buddha. Still, perhaps this is the only journey that allows me to thoroughly witness every hidden corner of life and death, the beliefs of the people of India, and the curiosity of tourists from all over the world.
 
At this time, all people, whether from the upper class, the middle class, the working class, or foreign tourists, marveled at the sight of a long line of sunburnt monks wearing yellow robes patched in front and back, carrying bowls on their shoulders, and accompanied by two dogs: Sổ and Āloka. Meanwhile, the yellow dog (now named Mudita), having leg pain, is riding along in a vehicle. Like us, both Sổ and Āloka were the focus of hundreds of big and small dogs of all colors and breeds, whose barks rumble through the air. One wave just stood there barking while another tried to attack. We continued to be a protective barrier for the two dogs.
 
In front of us is a sea of ​​people moving, stretching towards the banks of the Ganges River like a spring festival. All year round, this city is never empty; Hindus often stay here for at least one night. They usually come in the afternoon to attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony – the ceremony to send off the sun god, Shiva, and the river Ganges god at around seven o’clock every day; then wait until early the next morning for the ceremony to bathe in the Ganges.
 
Believers stand on the bank to pray, then go down to the river to wash away the dust. From young children to young men, women, and older adults, they immerse themselves in the river water to wash away all sins. Some people even draw sacred river water to bring back to use. Along the street on the river bank, many plastic cans and bottles of all sizes are on sale to serve this belief.
 
Dashashwamedh is the largest Ghat (Ghat – stairs or a passage leading down to a river) along this part of the river. There are dozens of Hindu temples along this river bank that only Hindus can enter. Along the banks, many people place incense, flowers, offerings, and worship in the celebrant’s prayers. The naked ascetics in the half-lotus sitting position were also scattered here and there. In the morning, if you take a boat on the river, you will see a beautiful sunrise. Of course, there are plenty of street painters along this section of the river. In the sunset, musicians with guitars and bamboo flutes with sonorous melodies also captivated the hearts of music lovers.
 
Suddenly, the group leader stopped and looked to the left; the group stopped and, out of habit, also followed the leader’s gaze, assuming something big was going on. It turned out that a bride and a groom were taking wedding photos. The leader and the Sangha looked at the bridegroom and the bride with serious expressions, not smiling, not blinking, making the bride blush shyly. Not until the bride bowed her head did the Sangha continue to walk; it was so innocent and natural, wasn’t it, ladies and gentlemen? Perhaps now, the bride and groom still need to figure out what happened.
 
(to be continued)

#chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple #sbsstupas
#buddha #buddhism #Dhutanga #dhammajourney
Source: Dhammacetiya