The Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, where Hindus perform cremations
![Devotees in Varanasi](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/e7f15475-374a-45b4-be59-8b68dfafb155/2%20Benaras%20Devotees.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
Devotees in Varanasi heading towards a temple
![Trash litter on road](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/3480ff23-2763-4cc3-a6a4-05855e112ddb/3%20street%20food.jpg?w=594&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
Trash litter a lane in Daalmandi, Varanasi
![A devotee of Lord Shiva](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/7370fc90-090b-471b-9c11-622bdc04e3f1/4%20Devotees%20and%20Pilgrims.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
A devotee reveres Lord Shiva—also known as Mahadev (the greatest God)—on her forehead
![Boat ride in Varanasi](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/d0a418ab-e522-4a0d-97a1-959a55f2db96/5%20Boat%20at%20the%20ghats.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
Boat rides near the ghats of Varanasi
![Evening aarti](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/a24d1326-3346-4da4-bf28-a48c3b7d48eb/6%20Devotees%20at%20the%20ghats.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
Evening aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
![Shops in revamped Varanasi](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/db6fabf5-7be4-493a-9c0c-62c944b5bdcc/7%20Benarasi%20Shops%20leading%20through%20the%20way%20of%20dasaswamedh%20ghat.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
The revamped road leading to the Dashashwamedh Ghat
![Revamped road to Dashashwamedh Ghat](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/0a1effc2-dc91-4a99-8919-0092a0b9dc48/8%20Road%20Leading%20to%20Dasaswamedh%20Ghat.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
The road leading to the Dashashwamedh Ghat
![Mukti Bhawan](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/758f81ef-d9b8-438b-bb04-4466998f5cf7/9%20Mukti%20Bhawan.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
The priests at Mukti Bhawan, where devout Hindus check in to literally die
![Ustad Bismillah Khan’s house](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/d6005560-a391-4e21-a9cf-96cb8dd9e8fd/10%20House%20of%20Bismilla%20khan%20at%20dalmandi,%20Benaras.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
A room on the terrace in Ustad Bismillah Khan’s house, where the sitar maestro lived and practiced
The NaMo Ghat in Varanasi
![A saadhu](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/2024-05/13712da2-2897-4e30-89ed-4b0c018bffd2/12%20Sadhu%20in%20Benaras%20Streets.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
An old saadhu in a gully in Varanasi