Palace on The Ganges

... , witnessing love demonstrated through the construction of the Taj Mahal, visiting the Pink and Blue City (Jaipur & Jodhpur), seeing the palace on the lake in Udaipur, jeep/camel ride through the dessert in Jaisalmer and ending with a cosmopolitan in Delhi ...

... have 500 faecal coliform bacteria (bacteria found in feces) per 100ml (a little more than a third of a cup) of water. The Ganges has 1.5 million faecal coliform bacteria per 100ml of water. That's 3000 times the acceptable amount for bathing. ...

... Ganges water to England as it was sacred. Can you imagine them doing that nowadays - especially when you imagine what goes into the Ganges? Little glass of Ganges water your highness? Different world back then. I then check out the throne room. Again its ...

... in the distance. We found a Lonely Planet recommended hotel for $7 per night (!!!!!!!) and checked in and immediately checked out the water palace. It was built in the 40s and contains fountains, water features, pools for swimming, ponds and a temple. It ...

... -tuk and rickshaw rides and showing us the good ie. safe restaurants, and awesome silk shops - a Varansi staple. The Ganges is the source of everything for Hindus - cremations, marriage blessings, daily cleansing baths, transportation, fishing, dead ...

... of musical instruments. The highlight was 2 large silver urns that were used by the king to carry sacred water from the Ganges river to the king of England in 1901 (I hope the water from the Ganges was cleaner at that time).   Next door to ...

... has a shrine to Shitala, the deity of smallpox), there is an arati puja performed by five Brahmin priests to worship the Ganges. Although I'm not familiar enough with Hinduism to understand the significance of each object used, I was really impressed by ...

... to the 5 elements: Fire - burning the body Earth - ashes of the body fall to earth Water - some ashes have to be taken to the Ganges Air - the smell of the smoke goes into the air Sky - the soul goes to the sky. You can't be cremated until ...

... largest silver item. Actually, there were two identical urns. These urns were once used by a Maharajah to carry holy water of the Ganges to London, England. With sunlight running out and our tummies grumbling at us, we made our way out of this bustling ...

... than normal price, but it was more convenient. The car dropped us off at the junction where we walked to the bazaar and the Ganges, the most holy river in India. There were people dressed in orange everywhere, this color apparently signifies the burning ...

Our day starts with another boat ride on the Ganges to observe the daily washing and prayer rituals observed by the people. We go just before sunrise so we can watch how the day begins. The journey is astounding at every moment. After working our way up ...

... ,  Agra [Taj Mahal] and now Jaipur.  My favourite was Varanassi where Hindus come to be cremated on the shores of the Ganges. Tour boats get pretty close so you get a great view of untouchables tending to the fires. Heathers favourite ...

... ends. Pure, loud, clean. So unlike the clanking call of Western bell towers. Varanasi, the holy city on the Ganges River, that conducts a puja (cleansing ritual) each morning and eve gives off a similar feeling. Of utter peace. It is different. Thousands ...

... : The main chanting boat with the sparklers has now separated from the rest of the boats and it seems to be making 360s around the Ganges. In the meantime there are drums, and bells and chants going on at the same time! What a show! My waiter just told me ...

... up to "Handi Devi Temple" up the mountain. The view was lovely and the temple was very interesting. After a late lunch we wait by the ganges to experience the prayer ceremony. The river looks dirty but our driver assures us it's mud and not ...

... wandering pedestrians and cows. Vegetarian lunch at an attractive tourist restaurant on the way. Then I had my first view of the Ganges which was exciting. Checked into a clean hotel in Rishikesh - The Ganges View with lovely view over the Ganges ...

... people in this house. My memory flashed back to Aman (remember him?) in Varanasi, India, who, while setting candles afloat in the Ganges River in memory of Jim, told me to "listen to the silence." I was awestruck by the gold piece bestriding ...

... dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram (which is now closed).  Rishikesh is also known as the birthplace of the Ganges river (Ganga) because it's first town from where the Ganges drops out of the mountains.  It's also the ...

... was actually people been cremated by the river, yuk!! But actually many people have this done, then their ashes are dusted into the ganges after. it was still quite shocking though, i luckily didnt see it, but others said they could see feet and hands ...

... the river Ganges for sunrise so am now feeling a bit tired so am off for lunch and maybe an afternoon nap!  And yes the Ganges was fab, people bathing in the holy waters, praying by the water's edge, candles floating on the water, people chanting and ...