Perhaps A Ghost. by David Goldman

Public Project

Perhaps A Ghost.

Copyright David Goldman 2024

Date of Work Jul 2019 - Jul 2019

Updated May 2020

Location Varanasi

Topics Documentary, Dying/Death, Hinduism, India, Photography, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Varanasi,

One of the holiest places on earth for Hindus is Varanasi, India, a city said to be over 5000 years old. Many go there to be cremated. A deceased body is brought to the steps of the Manikarnika Ghat (the burning ghat) to first be washed in the Ganga (Ganges river) and then to be placed on the funeral pyre. There are no women to be seen, at least those who are living. The closest male relative will be rushed through a series of ceremonies and finally shown how to light the fire. The body will take close to 5 hours to burn with only small bones from the skull, hips or ribs left. Those bones will be hammered down to even smaller slivers and thrown back in the river.

The family member will have his head shaved except for a small bit on the back. He will dress in white robes signifying that there is no color in his life during this morning period of between 10-30 days.

The goal of this process for the deceased is to achieve Moksha. They hope to ascend and thus break free from the constant cycle of reincarnation.

The fires burn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and each pyre requires close to 1100 pounds of wood. It's difficult to breath and see at some times. I certainly inhaled a few folks on their way out of this world.

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David Goldman

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