INDIA

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Varanasi

Varanasi, located on the banks of the Ganga river, is the holiest city in India. Hindu pilgrims come here from all over the country to take a ritual batch in the holy waters of the Ganga and wash away all their sins.

Varanasi is not only about life, but also about death. Dead bodies are being burned in an open-air crematorium 24 hours a day here. Hindus believe that if a body is cremated on the banks of the Ganga river in Varanasi and the ashes are then thrown into the holy river, the spirit of the deceased will be freed from the cycle of rebirths. This highly intimate and spiritual act has a commercial side, however. Families of the deceased have to pay large amount of money for the wood used for the funeral pyre. Every log is carefully weighed.

Holy men meditating on the banks of the Ganga river

Khajuraho

Khajuraho temples were built in the 10th century, but are still very well preserved.  They are the finest example of Hindu architecture and their stone carvings are simply superb.

Both inner and outer walls of the temples are flanked with several rows of finely carved human and mythological figures.

The most frequent motifs are apsaras (heavenly nymphs) and women.

Other themes include couples and scenes from daily life (the women on the right is putting on make-up).

In Khajuraho there are surprisingly many provocative, erotic scenes.

Agra

Monumental walls of the Red Fort in Agra

The Red Fort is not in the best shape. These beautifully decorated rooms of the king's marble palace are an exception, however.

The world-wide known Taj Mahal is a very impressive piece of architecture, indeed.

Keoladeo National Park

A few centuries ago, the local Maharaja decided to create a great body of water near the city of Bharatpur. His goal was to attract birds that could supply his kitchen and that he could hunt.

The Maharaja's plan worked and more than 350 kinds of birds moved into the area. Today, it is a national park and no hunting happens here no more. Visitors carry binoculars instead of rifles and come from far to see many rare and protected birds.

Jaipur

Jaipur is well known for its old center, where not only palaces (the Wind Palace shown here), but also common houses are all painted pink.

In Radjastan (state in western India with Jaipur as a capitol), women dress in bold colors.

It is unusual to see a motorcycle driver wear a helmet in India. It is even more unusual to see a woman drive a motorcycle, especially one that is wearing a traditional sari.

Typical traffic on one of the main streets

One can buy various snacks at portable stands like this one. Samosa, fried roll with potato filling, was one of our favorite snacks.

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