Esther's photos

Almost every truck in India is decorated. AIMG_9808

A Nepali man making a pilgramage to Sarnath, India AIMG_9782

Mural on a wall of the Mulagandhakuti Vihara, a monastery built in in the 1930's in Sarnath, India. Sarnath is approximately12 kilometers from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi. It is the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha for pilgrimage. AIMG_9766

Inside the Mulagandhakuti Vihara,a monastery built in in the 1930's in Sarnath, India. Sarnath is approximately12 kilometers from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi. It is the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha for pilgrimage. AIMG_9769

A security guard at the Mulagandhakuti Vihara, a monastery built in in the 1930's in Sarnath, India. It is a bit scary to see someone in street clothing toting a rifle, but no one else seemed put out by it. I photographed him from a distance, since I make it my practice never to annoy people with guns. Sarnath is approximately12 kilometers from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi. It is the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha for pilgrimage. AIMG_9771

Cremation ghats on the Ganges at Varanasi, India. This was a nightshot without flash taken from a rowboat at a respectful distance so the movement of the boat is apparently. However, I liked the way it came out. Varanasi is considered to be a holy city by Buddhists and Jains, and is viewed as the holiest place in the world by Hindus who believe that it was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. AIMG_9741

A rowboat with the faithful lighting candles floats down the Ganges River in Varanasi, India. Varanasi is considered to be a holy city by Buddhists and Jains, and is viewed as the holiest place in the world by Hindus who believe that it was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. AIMG_9739

At twilight, the boats stand ready to be hired to take tourists and pilgrims out on the Ganges. Varanasi is considered to be a holy city by Buddhists and Jains, and is considered to be the the holiest place in the world by Hindus who believe that it was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. AIMG_9728

A view of a Ghat before the aarti ceremony, a Hindu ritual, in which lights from candles soaked in ghee (purified butter) are offered to the deities. Varanasi is considered to be a holy city by Buddhists and Jains, and is considered to be the the holiest place in the world by Hindus who believe that it was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world AIMG_9730