India 97 Travelog : the Gange river and the holy city of Benares (7/8)

<BODY BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT = "#ABCBBE"> <BR> <FONT SIZE=4> Benares (or Varanasi) is one of the most important pilgrimages sites in India. Situated on the banks of the sacred Gange river, Benares has been the center of learning and civilisation for more than 2000 years. The principal attraction are the long string of bathing <B>ghats</B> which line the west bank. Ghats are the steps which lead down to the river from which pilgrims make their sin-cleansing dip in the holy river and on which bodies are cremated.<BR> Not far away from benares is Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon.<BR> But we will as well remember Benares for quite incredible rickshaw driving experiences. On my side, two guys were simultaneously driving mine : one was learning, and his friend, fully drunk, was trying to teach him ! Everything occuring, at full speed and by Night......<BR></FONT> </BODY>