Varanasi- a more positive view

Varanasi is famous not only for the Ganges where the rituals of life and death are performed , but for a well recognised University, a Shiva Temple ( one of the nicest we have seen since travelling through India) and hand embroidered silk .

The University - a huge campus and very pleasant grounds to cycle through.


The Temple
Scriptures/ writings on the walls


Walking through crowded streets, dodging cows, rickshaws, people, rubbish and dung, tiring of heat we finally gave in and hired a bicycle rickshaw and driver for 4 hours to take us around the sights and as was expected we ended up a a silk factory and can away with 2 purchases. it was so stress free not having to deal with all the pressure from the other operators and touts. a turning point for us in our travels I feel.

The homes and 'factories we people sit and hand embroider on the hand woven Saree fabric