Firstly, I have to apologize for the number of pictures in this post. Usually I try to keep it under ten but Varanasi is just so damn photogenic that you can pretty much close your eyes, press the shutter and come away with a decent photo. Hopefully they're not a chore to go through.

The pictures that follow try to illustrate how vital Varanasi is irrespective of the time of day. I've also included a couple that aren't exactly strong photos but rather,are contextual in nature. The picture above shows my parents trying to make their way across an accumulation of detritus that's quite a common site in Varanasi. During monsoon months the Ganges swells, sometimes reaching heights of 1-2 meters above its normal waterline, depositing garbage and thick layers of mud (sometimes two feet thick) that eventually dries and, left unchecked, would overtake the ghats. The city hires men to use high pressure hoses and clear away the mud.

Enjoy!

A very common sight. Cows are everywhere. If this bothers you don't bother coming here. It's just one of those things you have to accept as the price of admission

A group of rebelling teenagers gambling in the alleyways of the Old City. No sooner had the one in the corner say to me "no photo!" did a police man wielding a mean looking club happen upon them. They bolted like ball lightning

Still lots of people out at night. Also I have a photo fetish for barber mirrors it appears

Early morning prayers

Getting directions in the Old City

Taken during one of my 6am walks. We shared a laugh over two grown men acting like children trying to dunk one another in the Ganges

OK I did not ask the guy to pose this way. In fact, I was minding my own business and he came up to me and asked to have his picture taken. When I agreed, he struck a pose

I still don't know what was happening here. The man standing seemed to be lecturing (berating) the men sitting. No one around spoke English well enough to tell me what was going on

Looky looky

Work work...

From my research I knew there was a Kushti (Indian mud wrestling) school in Varanasi. It took me a while to find and I had to wake up early to get these pictures but it was worth the effort. The mentor running this particular school was 70+ but didn't look a day over 60. He also could have beaten me to a pulp if he wanted to. Luckily he was a friendly man and let me take a few pictures while he trained his students. These guys work insanely hard, in the early hours before school or work, and train six days a week.

This kids absolutely loved getting their pictures taken. They were the only ones there when I arrived which I was disappointed by but the big boys showed up later

For SS. When I told him I knew a nice Indian girl he threw his head back and bellowed, then immediately wrestled three men to the ground, bench pressed 500lbs, and downed an entire bottle of single malt scotch before posing for this picture. Honestly, I think you guys would make a great match. Lemme know

This guy's about 50 and threw those clubs around like they were turkey drumsticks

That real life Abel Change of Direction