followers of the Hindu religion walk to
bathe in the river and cleanse themselves
of their sins. Ceremonies take place
on the river at sunrise and sunset and
throughout the day and night it is a hive
of activity.
Full of emporiums selling silks and
brocades, Varanasi is a shoppers
paradise but more than this an
opportunity to step back in time and
immerse yourself in the rich culture of the
country. Having risen early to watch the
sun rise over the Ganges and thousands
of pilgrims descend to the riverbank and
repeating the experience at sunset, it
was then time for me to board the next
overnight train to Agra.
Agra is, of course, known for the
Taj Mahal but no less imposing and
spectacular is the Red Fort of Akbar. A
mighty fortress of red sandstone walls,
with an interior of beautiful white marble
mosques, palaces, halls and courtyards,
the Red Fort was the royal palace of the
Emperors Jehangir and Shah Jehan.
From the palace looking across the river
into the distance it was possible to see
through the haze the beautiful white
marble of the Taj Mahal, built by Shah
Jehan in memory of his beloved wife,
Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631.
To beat the crowds (some 80,000 per
day!) it is necessary to start queuing at
65