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DUK10018302_019
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_018
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_017
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_016
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_015
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_014
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_013
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_012
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_011
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_010
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_009
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_008
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_007
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_006
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_005
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_004
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_003
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_002
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUK10018302_001
REPORTAGE - Die ewigen Feuer von Manikarnika Ghats - Verbrennungsstätte am Ganges
EXCLUSIVE
Where funeral fires forever burn: Incredible photos show the 'Manikarnika Ghats' holy festival on the Ganges where Hindus make their final journey find 'moksha' and reach nirvana
On the western bank of the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi, the fires of the Manikarnika Ghats have been burning for thousands of years.
This holy city, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the most sacred place on earth for Hindus and it is believed that if a person’s ashes are scattered here then their soul will finally achieve nirvana (moksha).
But to liberate the soul, the worn-out body must first be burned.
A series of stunning and rare images, captured by photographer Michal Huniewicz, give a remarkable insight into the last hours of the Hindu body at Manikarnika Ghats - the largest cremation site in Varanasi.
Up to 300 people a day are cremated at this ‘burning ghat’, named for the steps that lead down to a body of holy water.
For centuries, the old and sick have flocked to the site to die here on the banks of the Ganges, and special buildings on the site are reserved for those awaiting their final hours.
But the atmosphere at the giant funeral site is not one of sorrow, as mourners instead laugh, chat and play cards as the funeral preparations are carried out.
The Hindu attitude to death is not one of loss, but instead follows the idea of ‘shedding’ the worn-out body, as one might throw away clothes that are too worn-out to wear.
The Varanasi site is a hive of activity, families weave between the piles of wood gathered for burning bodies; livestock amble around funeral parties; and spectators and tourists mill around observing ceremonies.
The funeral process is vital in achieving nirvana, and the ritual’s many stages must be perfectly performed or the soul won’t find its way in the afterlife.
To begin, the remains are carried through the alleyways of the old city to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher swathed in colourful cloth.
The closest male rela
(c) Dukas -
DUKAS_52406415_ZUM
India, flood
July 30, 2015 - Allahabad, India - Indian youths jump from a partially submerged platform of an old temple in a low lying area on the banks of the River Ganges,in Allahabad on July 30,2015.The water level of River Ganges and yamuna rises aftter seasonal mansoon rainfall (FOTO: DUKAS/ZUMA)
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India, flood
July 30, 2015 - Allahabad, India - An indian youth jumps from a partially submerged platform of an old temple in a low lying area on the banks of the River Ganges,in Allahabad on July 30,2015.The water level of River Ganges and yamuna rises aftter seasonal mansoon rainfall (FOTO: DUKAS/ZUMA)
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India, flood
July 30, 2015 - Allahabad, India - Indian youths gather around a partially submerged street light pole in a low lying area on the banks of the River Ganges,in Allahabad on July 30,2015.The water level of River Ganges and yamuna rises aftter seasonal mansoon rainfall (FOTO: DUKAS/ZUMA)
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India, flood
July 30, 2015 - Allahabad, India - An indian boy jumps in flooded River Ganges,in Allahabad on July 30,2015.The water level of River Ganges and yamuna rises aftter seasonal mansoon rainfall (FOTO: DUKAS/ZUMA)
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Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Mandatory Credit: Photo by NurPhoto/REX Shutterstock (4897613g)
A woman worships on the polluted river banks of River Ganges in Allahabad
Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the River Ganges, not only India's holiest river but also one of its most polluted - but his election vow is not going to be easy to fulfil.
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Mandatory Credit: Photo by NurPhoto/REX Shutterstock (4897613f)
A local man who who sells milk to devotees to offer in River Ganges during worship, stands on the polluted river bank of River Ganges Allahabad
Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the River Ganges, not only India's holiest river but also one of its most polluted - but his election vow is not going to be easy to fulfil.
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Mandatory Credit: Photo by NurPhoto/REX Shutterstock (4897613e)
An indian devotee worships on the polluted river bank of River Ganges in Allahabad
Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the River Ganges, not only India's holiest river but also one of its most polluted - but his election vow is not going to be easy to fulfil.
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Mandatory Credit: Photo by NurPhoto/REX Shutterstock (4897613d)
A woman finds the coins and other valuable things which devotees offer during prayers on the polluted river banks of River Ganges in Allahabad
Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the River Ganges, not only India's holiest river but also one of its most polluted - but his election vow is not going to be easy to fulfil.
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Mandatory Credit: Photo by NurPhoto/REX Shutterstock (4897613c)
Devotees bathing in the polluted River Ganges in Allahabad
Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the River Ganges, not only India's holiest river but also one of its most polluted - but his election vow is not going to be easy to fulfil.
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Mandatory Credit: Photo by NurPhoto/REX Shutterstock (4897613b)
Devotees after bathing in the polluted River Ganges in Allahabad
Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the River Ganges, not only India's holiest river but also one of its most polluted - but his election vow is not going to be easy to fulfil.
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Mandatory Credit: Photo by NurPhoto/REX Shutterstock (4897613a)
A woman who sells flowers to devotees to offer in River Ganges on the polluted river bank of River Ganges
Pollution in the River Ganges, Allahabad, India - 06 Jul 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the River Ganges, not only India's holiest river but also one of its most polluted - but his election vow is not going to be easy to fulfil.
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India
Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India (FOTO: DUKAS/PHOTOSHOT)
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Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India
Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India (FOTO: DUKAS/PHOTOSHOT)
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Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India
Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India (FOTO: DUKAS/PHOTOSHOT)
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Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India
Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India (FOTO: DUKAS/PHOTOSHOT)
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Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India
Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India (FOTO: DUKAS/PHOTOSHOT)
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Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India
Pilgrims bathe and wash in the holy waters of the Ganges, Varanasi, India (FOTO: DUKAS/PHOTOSHOT)
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Climate changes : victim of river erosion in Bangladesh
Dec. 20, 2014 - Shirajgonj, Bangladesh - Women winnows paddy at the bank of the river Jamuna..Bangladesh is exposed to the vagaries of nature in various forms and river erosion, which uproots people from their ancestral homes and deals lethal blows to rural economy, is certainly a major socio-economic problem that stands in the way of sustainable poverty alleviation.River the Padma, the Ganges and the Jamuna have taken away around 1,000 square kilometres of arable land, which is more than the size of Dhaka city and 5 to 20 million people are affected directly or indirectly, according to a study of the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (FOTO: DUKAS/ZUMA)
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Aerial photos taken using a camera mounted on a quadcopter drone, India - Jul 2014
EXCLUSIVE
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amos Chapple/REX Shutterstock (3967387n)
Hindus gather on the far shore of Varanasi to swim and worship in the Ganges
Aerial photos taken using a camera mounted on a quadcopter drone, India - Jul 2014
*Full story: http://www.rexfeatures.com/nanolink/p6is
These breathtaking images give a whole new perspective on India. Seen from above, a slum sprawls out over the landscape, boats nestle together at a dock and the Taj Mahal looks like a miniature toy. The beautiful shots were taken by photographer Amos Chapple using a camera mounted to a quadcopter drone. This enabled him to capture these unusual aerials showing some of India's sights like they've never been seen before. Amos comments: "Photographing aerials in India is hugely exciting because you're getting to see some of the most beautiful buildings in the world in a way they've not been seen through all the centuries they've existed".
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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Camilla Ganges 061113
Camilla and Charles enjoy The Sunset Aarti ceremony by the Ganges in the holy Hindu city of Rishikesh on the first day of their 9 day visit to india
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Varanasi Uttar Pradesh INDIA
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eye Ubiquitous / Rex Features ( 951023a )
Silhouette at sunset of a Holy Man on the banks of the River Ganges with his arms outstretched Asia Asian Bharat Inde Indian Intiya Religion Male Men Guy Religious Scenic Male Man Guy One individual Solo Lone Solitary 1 Single unitary Varanasi Uttar Pradesh INDIA
Varanasi Uttar Pradesh INDIA
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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India - 2009
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Pearson / Rex Features ( 1270415c )
The Laxmanjula bridge crossing the river Ganges in Rishikesh, India
India - 2009
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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India - 2009
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Pearson / Rex Features ( 1270415b )
People place small boats containing flowers, incense and a candle in the river Ganges as offerings in Haridwar, India
India - 2009
(FOTO:DUKAS/REX)
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