Death- a natural element unnatural to the mind.

Death- a natural element unnatural to the mind.

Banaras is famous for many things like its history culture, food, people but one disturbing element called Death. A place where people come and stay, and wait for their death. A place where death is natural to them. The cycle of life is best understood here. Never in the world have I seen death put out so much I front of you as in Varanasi, just makes you realise how temporary life is. In life one exist to find the truth of living life and dies to ash and it repeats. A tragic scene t watch your loved one burn to ash, but Banaras believes in giving yourself back to the earth.

In Hindu customs, women are not supposed to attend any crematory rites but through this trip I experienced the feel of it. No remorse on the face of the pandits, the few members of the family stand by chit chatting, a secluded but selected group of people who are considered to be the lower caste are appointed to see to the burning of the body 

As rightly quoted by Mr Mishra, Professor at BHU- “ Nobody wants to make a career out of cleaning”. 

Salvation is what they shall achieve, unlike the cruel world, a man cannot die in peace. He has to still pay tax, and different rates are for different days. People await in queues, with money in hand for their chance. Death has become a trade. A belief and the attachment to the dead person does not let his family let him go away without the holy rites that he deserves. It is said, In the end we all shall die and what we require is the earth to seep us in .Sometimes there is a fine line between faith and exploitation, that line seems to be crossed nowadays “Sab kuch dhanda ban gaya hai”. This is sad part , the commercialisation but to look at it from a broader aspect..

Banaras has its own take and taste at this, they celebrate death, they believe in the parting of the man from this earth is the only way to meet god. God does exist for them. It is faith ruling over reality.

these which carry a dead man,built with strength cost you money!