I visited what I understand to be the newest temple in Varanasi. It was breathtaking! Resplendent with white marble, I was immediately struck by the number of Shiva Lingams. This one greets you upon entering. Lingams to the left Lingams to the right Lingams all around! Then there was this separate room of white Lingams. It reminded me of a nursery. In addition, there were several beautiful murtis (sacred statues) of the Gods and Goddesses. Annapurna is the Goddess of food, no

As much as I would like to eat the street food (I would really like to eat the street food!), I heed the doctors advice and do not partake. However, my native friends do, and indulge my requests for photos. Lucky me! The makings for Bhel Puri Chaat is a broad category of snacks that contain a combination of foods, flavors and textures. Bhel Puri is one of those chaats. Bhel Puri stands lined the Ghats along the Ganges. We stopped every night for a Bhel Puri snack. One night,

One of the biggest events in Varanasi is the evening Ganga Arti. It's a flame ceremony honoring the Ganges every night at 6pm. The time may change as the days grow longer. It's 6pm now. It is a spectacular ceremony that draws quite a crowd! There is a festival atmosphere, with vendors walking around selling trinkets. There are toys for the children. People come by land and by boat All to honor Ma Ganga, represented in this murti (sacred statue). I had different seats each nig

I arrived in Varanasi (called Kashi by the locals) yesterday afternoon. It's just over an hour's drive from the airport. And then it's about a ten minute walk through the alleyways leading to the river. That walk is quite an experience! I made videos of most of it so you would feel like you were here with me. Enjoy! The view from my room 😍 My quarters at Nirmala Ganga View Bear with me if there's radio silence for a couple of days. I am being kept very busy! Lots of sacred s

I encountered a cacophony of devotion at the temple last night. I walked through the arched entrance and left my shoes on the rack. I passed the small room that houses the Krishna statue, and saw a priest chanting mantras and waving a candle flame to him. I paused to watch, unnoticed. The priests, especially this one, ooze devotion when they are doing these ceremonies. I continued on to Bhimeshwar, the Shiva temple on the grounds. That is my favorite place in all of Ganeshpu

When I arrived in India, the customs official asked me what I liked about India. Without a second thought, I said the devotion. I see it everywhere: in the many temples and sacred sites; in the offerings of flowers, food, and sacred greenery at the temples, and to the cows, trees, and holy sites.  They start early here. I've seen infants handed off to priests so their head can be touched to a holy statue. I've seen older babies squirming as their parents push their head down

Here's a quick update - I'm in a very different place than my last post. I arrived in Ganeshpuri around 10am. My wait at the airport wasn't as bad as my mind wanted me to believe it would be. Isn't that always the way? It sure is with my mind! It was a joyful arrival and I had eaten, showered and was tucked into bed within an hour. That was a great sleep. When I awoke, I headed down the hill to say hello to Nityananda and my friends. It was a joyful reunion. I'm so happy to b