Varanasi

Hey everybody from Varanasi!

On Monday morning at 4 o'clock I left the Camphill and took my plane up to Delhi. There I only spent a few hours before going by train to Varanasi.
Becuase I only have a few days left before my visa expires I didn't want to waste them in a big city like Delhi. Nevertheless I went to old Delhi to see India's biggest mosque, the Jama Masjid.



When I went back to the railway station in New Delhi I had troubles to find my train on the display panel. In the end I arrived one minute before the train was leaving. I found my name on the list outside the sleeping carriage and was lucky to relax. Because of the temperature of 46 centigrade I was suffering quite a big deal (friends of mine told me that they never saw somebody who sweats like me!!!). To cool down I was simply standing at the open door of the carriage but the hot air didn't have a good cooling effect. With me together there was a guy from Srinagar (Kashmir) standing there and having a nice chat. He told me about the weather in his native place and I was really looking forward to go there. It should me quite chilly and even still snowing over there. He was very proud of his country that is also called the "Switzerland of India". Sweaty I fall to a very deep. When I woke up the train was already entering Varanasi and in one minute I tried to realize whats going on, pack my things and get out of the train. Obviously I forgot something (my only trousers I brought to India), but it was only of emotional worth.


Varanasi - on the western banks of the sacred Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh - is one of the holiest cities in India. The city is even a little hotter than Delhi! Here I'm laying now in my room with diarrhea and sweating 24 hours a day. According to the weather forecast it should get even hotter. Na servas!!!
In my hotel I met a German guy whom I know from the train to Goa and who is traveling around the world. He even lives next door.
This city is amazing. Everywhere people take a bath in the holy river Mother Ganga (Ganges) it should be purifying the soul. But actually there are 1,5 mio. E.coli in 100 ml. of water and swimming water should have a desired value under 500. Most of the sewage of the city is ending up in the river and besides that often half burned human cadavers are being thrown there. "There's no better way to hedge your bets on that next incarnation than to die in Varanasi, where your body can be cast into the holy river for a watery burial.




The Ganges cleanses all sins and ensures a release from the Hindu cycle of rebirths: it's an instant passport to heaven. Many elderly and ill people come to Varanasi to die, and old Sadhus (men who have given up their worldly possessions for a life of absolute religious devotion) congregate along the river banks." (Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/theme/fatal_attractions/fatal_varanasi.htm)

I hope to recover soon and see more of this fascinating place.

May Lord Shiva bless you all!!


Chai, Chillum, Chapati - Chello Parvati