Nindia 2013

Nindia is short for Nepal and India, a 20 week trip we did in the first half of 2013.

We started and finished in Mumbai, travelling via Karnataka, Hampi and Hyderabad to the shores of Orissa before heading North to Nepal where we stayed 2 months, with a long trek in the Everest region.

From Kathmandu, we toured Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh before catching our plane back home.

A vibrant and tiring trip, full of impressions and memories.

Full map of all Nindia 2013 pages

Other Things

Thinking of our next destination: Italy and Portugal come to mind, or maybe the time has finally come for a US road trip…

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Varanasi

(vero;2014-Jan-25)

The Ghats are Varanasi's spiritual centre. They are steps stretching over 6 km along the Ganges, lined with palaces, temples and shrines. Pilgrims come to the Ghats to perform rituals or attend the cremation of their loved ones while other people come here to wash clothes, do yoga or meditation, get a massage, play cricket, water their buffaloes, sell flowers, etc. They are a fascinating place and wonderful for people watching.

The ritual of Ganga Aarti, a salutation to the Ganges, is performed every day at dawn and dusk.

Ganga Aarti attracts many spectators, pilgrims and tourists alike. Oil lamps, incense burning, ringing bells and sacred mantras are essential parts of this ceremony.

Nandeshwar Ghat: one of the over 80 Ghats in Varanasi.

Bathing in the Ganges is not only a ritual affair.

One of the many shrines along the river banks.

Originally built in 1830, the buildings on Scindia Ghat were so heavy that they collapsed into the river and had to be rebuilt in 1937.

Detail of a column supporting a temple at Scindia Ghat.

One of Varanasi's highlights is seeing the Ghats from the river.

Burning wood piling up near Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi's main cremation Ghat.

Intricately carved balcony of one of the palaces built along the Ghats.

This boy is playing it safe for his swim in the Ganges.

Dogs having a rest in a Hanuman and Ganesh Shrine.

View from the Ghats, note the buffaloes escaping the afternoon heat in the Ganges.

Bird searching for food in the dirt of the Ghats.

It is hard to believe that there are still some fishes in the heavily polluted waters of the Ganges.

Nice building in one of the streets running parallel to the river.

Prayag Ghat, next to Dasashvamedha Ghat.

One of the palaces overlooking the Ghats.

Manikarnika cremation Ghat seen from the river.

Pilgrim performing his ritual ablutions.

The Alamgir Mosque (built by Aurangzeb) dominates Panchganga Ghat.

Taken from a terrace near Alamgir Mosque.

Boy playing cricket. Beware of flying balls!

Food is often distributed to pilgrims or people in need.

Go back to Seen in India or go on to Northern Karnataka and Hampi or go up to Photos