Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws pilgrims who bathe in the River Ganges’ sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along its winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Nowhere in India is there a more important pilgrimage site for Hindus than Varanasi. Situated on the banks of the holy River Ganges, thousands of pilgrims flock to the bathing ghats (steps) every day to conduct their ritual ablutions.