Spiritual cleansing

The pilgrim cities along the north Indian river Ganges are a sought-after destination for devout Hindus. Flocking from all over the country, they come primarily for the ritual bath. When I explored the Ganges by boat in Varanasi, the shore was densely populated with people washing themselves, each of whom seemed to be performing his own individual ritual. At one point, I observed this man dressed in a mint-green hip scarf squatting on the riverbank, closing his eyes, and slowly pouring the holy water over his body from a golden pitcher. Spiritual cleansing is what people call it, the boatman told me, meanwhile the foul smell from the water burned my nose. How could such a thing be considered purification after all, the water is quite dirty, I asked him. Then he explained that through contact with the water people believe they can attain immortality, be cured of diseases as well as hope for a better rebirth. I guess it is the price for purification…

Varanasi (Indien), April 2014