Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi

Often called the Cremation Ghat in the literature, the Manikarnika Ghat—ghats are sets of steps leading to a river—is actually the site of a well or pond revered by Hindus as having been founded by the god Vishnu. This ghat's proximity to the area where cremations take place has led to its association with death rituals. To the Hindus, Varanasi (called Benares by the British) is considered one of the holiest cities in India because of its location along the Ganges River, which is highly revered. Due to the river's holiness, it is auspicious to bathe in and to have one's ashes scattered in it. The cremations themselves take place on the lighter-colored steps seen in the center of the photograph, in front of the structure with the central spire and the towers at each side. This image gives a sense of the cluster of temples and other buildings, built over the centuries, that dot the cityside bank of the Ganges at Varanasi.