{"id":7120,"date":"2020-02-19T18:10:57","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T17:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cherrydeck.com\/blog\/?p=7120"},"modified":"2020-02-19T18:32:21","modified_gmt":"2020-02-19T17:32:21","slug":"photographing-the-ghats-of-varanasi-a-series-by-joris-hermans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cherrydeck.com\/blog\/photographing-the-ghats-of-varanasi-a-series-by-joris-hermans\/","title":{"rendered":"Photographing The Ghats of Varanasi — A Series by Joris Hermans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Varanasi<\/em><\/strong>, formerly known as Benaras in central India, is considered the Holy Grail of the country according to many. One of the oldest cities in the world, it sits by the river Ganges<\/em>, a religiously precious location to all Indians.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Today, we look at it through the eyes of Joris Hermans.<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For a certain Indian community, there is nothing more important or revered than passing away at Varanasi or being cremated by the banks of the river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a city as meaningful as this, filled with narrow by-lanes and alleys with age-old shops and restaurants, it is not uncommon to find it full of people celebrating the concept of passing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city presents itself as a place of Nirvana<\/em> where foreign tourists and local Indians escape the reality of everyday life and do what brings them peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Ghats of Varanasi\u201d<\/strong><\/em> is a photo experience created by the Belgian photographer Joris Hermans<\/a> during his travel times in India while on his voyage to explore the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ghats<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ghats in Varanasi <\/em>are the riverfront steps that lead to the banks of the River Ganges. Also known as the City of Ghats<\/em>, Varanasi has close to 88 big and small ghats. Each of these have different meanings to different people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most of them are used by people across the country for various religious ceremonies called ‘Puja’, the locals use the water for bathing and washing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, two noteworthy ghats are used exclusively as cremation sites, which have been beautifully captured by Hermans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Man
Man praying to the Ganges<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The river is considered to be so pure that people wash themselves in the water to wash off their sins. Also after cremation, the ashes are sprinkled in the river as it’s said that the deceased will then attain ‘Moksha’<\/em> or ‘Nirvana<\/em>‘. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From all over India people travel to Varanasi to die or to bring the dead. Life and death are not that far apart in India.<\/p>Joris Hermans<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cremation
Cremation by the Ghats of Ganges<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The Burning Ghat after Dark<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joris wanted to experience the life by the Ghats that lead up to the river. From locals indulging in a card game to playing cricket or simply relaxing, he soaked in all that Varanasi had to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the light turned into a magical glow, Joris along with his partner, would loosen up the river and watch the sun go down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Puja
Puja ceremony conducted by the Ghat<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Varanasi is also know for its beautiful evening ceremonies called ‘Aarti’<\/em>, where sounds of the hymns and lights bring the Dashashwamedh Ghat<\/em> alive. It is buzzing with thousands of devotees and tourists who come to witness this large spectacle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aarti
Aarti ceremony about to begin at the Ghat<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n