The riverfront steps leading down to the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi are known as ghats. There are 87 ghats in the city, most of which are used for bathing and puja ceremonies (prayer rituals), with a few also used as cremation sites. Visiting Varanasi’s ghats, either by boat or on foot, is a great way to gain an insight into a culture and way of life of the Varanasi people. Note though that watching a cremation ceremony is not for the faint-hearted – bodies are wrapped in cloth, burned, and their ashes dispersed into the water.
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