I had a life changing experience in Varanasi, Banaras as the locals say. I planned to spend one week here but ended up staying for more, it was just magical. In India being religious is not only being part of the society, it’s also part of the practice, the ceremonies and rituals. It means you know something more, you are being protected, it means you are mature and you will have a good life.
It’s a way of life where religious people create magically stories, that today it has evolved into its own being. Religion, culture, heritage and rituals here go hand in hand.
One example, Indians will take any tree or rock and make it into a religious being. Just with some red powder and flowers, the rock becomes spiritual or godly. They will then start praying for some good luck, ask for wishes and pass money to the preacher that sits close to this rock (he would be praying).
At times all this felt a little strange to me, why are we worshipping rocks and trees, when we have others who are suffering.
It was also after some heavy rains, so the river was on high tide and some temples were underwater, this ws a sight to experience too, watching the locals who have lived here for decades, walk around the streets, finding new ways to cross over the paths.
Life did not stand still or change, even with the flooding, it went on, prayers, cremations, ceremonies and daily life.
