We were following a whitewater trip down the Ganges, spring melting the snow in the Himalayan foothills, sending ice water raging through the rapids. Apparently Nepalese are the best boat pilots, with experience of even faster rivers and steeper gorges - and then it flows out at the holy town of Haridwar. Nightly the Ganga Arati takes place, with pilgrims travelling across India to share prayers on behalf of friends and family. Noise, chanting, gongs, bells, dripping fires, beeswax candles and flowers floating downstream, rice patterns. The Beatles first came through in '68, hanging out in nearby Rishkesh - I doubt if much has changed down by the river...
Deon
(PHOTO OBIBI)
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