Varanasi: City Immersed in Prayer

Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is a city in northern India that is considered the spiritual capital of India. It is believed to have been founded in the 11th century B.C.E. and is a living city where history has not stopped for thousands of years. Hindu pilgrims bathe in the Ganges River sacred waters for prayer and ritual, and the city is filled with thousands of shrines and temples. David Scheinbaum's photographs present an ancient, holy city immersed in prayer, and the words of B. J. Miller and Diana L. Eck shed light on the special qualities that make Varanasi the holy city it has always been.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: George F. Thompson

Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Banaras, is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh that has a rich history dating back to the 11th century B.C.E. It is revered as the spiritual capital of India and attracts Hindu pilgrims who come to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River for prayer and ritual. The city is like a time warp, where the people, both residents and pilgrims, continue their daily practices and worship in ways that have remained unchanged for thousands of years, creating a continuous continuum of thousands of years of history.

Being in Varanasi is like being on a thread that connects us to the very beginnings of time. The city is not a ruin, but a living, breathing metropolis where history has not ceased to unfold. David Scheinbaum, through his captivating camera lens, takes us on a journey through the winding streets of Varanasi, where thousands of shrines and temples dot the landscape at every turn. We are transported to the Ganges, the sacred river where bathers offer prayers and immerse themselves in the holy waters. We also witness the vibrant and bustling funerary Ghats, where cremations take place, filling the air with the fragrant aroma of incense and the sight of burning pyres.

Hindus believe that being cremated along the banks of the holy Ganges allows one to break the cycle of death and rebirth and attain Moksha, or salvation. This makes Varanasi a major center for pilgrimages, attracting people from all over the world who seek to connect with their spiritual roots and seek divine blessings.

David Scheinbaum's beautiful and soulful photographs capture the essence of Varanasi, an ancient and holy city immersed in prayer. The words of B. J. Miller and Diana L. Eck, noted scholars and writers, add depth and insight to the special qualities that make Varanasi the holy city it has always been. They shed light on the city's rich cultural heritage, its spiritual significance, and the enduring traditions that have shaped its identity for centuries.

In conclusion, Varanasi is a remarkable city that holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Hindus and travelers alike. Its timeless beauty, spiritual significance, and continuous cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to explore the rich tapestry of India's cultural heritage. Through the lens of David Scheinbaum's photographs and the words of B. J. Miller and Diana L. Eck, we are able to glimpse the magic and wonder of Varanasi, a city that continues to inspire and captivate us.

Dimension: 273 x 305 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781938086960