{"id":1694,"date":"2015-11-29T18:15:50","date_gmt":"2015-11-29T18:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/?p=1694"},"modified":"2015-11-29T18:16:56","modified_gmt":"2015-11-29T18:16:56","slug":"harold-jaffes-dispatches-from-india-november-29-2015-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/harold-jaffes-dispatches-from-india-november-29-2015-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Harold Jaffe’s Dispatches from India<\/em> – November 29, 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

Burn<\/strong><\/em>
\nManikarnika* the primary burning ghat in Varanasi<\/strong>
\n Tourist responses<\/strong><\/p>\n

Words<\/strong> can’t begin to describe experiencing this ghat from a boat on
\nthe Ganges at sunset. I left knowing I had seen a gateway, primal
\nand haunting.<\/p>\n

See<\/strong> sole of people and there touch in hindu. this is place you forget
\nyour identity and become a sant.<\/p>\n

Genuinely<\/strong> one of the most bizarre experiences of my life. I had
\nread and heard about it but words cannot possibly sum up the sight,
\nsounds and smells that surround your visit here. Touts are
\neverywhere.<\/p>\n

If<\/strong> your poor take a swim in the Ganga because your won\u2019t be
\npermiited to burn. Only for the high caste or very rich.<\/p>\n

One<\/strong> of its kind places in world which smells of rotten corpses,
\ncharred beyond any recognition half burnt bodies, thrown into
\nGanges. Its a place of blind Faith of people who come here to
\nrenounce and attain Moksha. THE FUNERAL FIRES HAVE NOT
\nBEEN doused for over a 1000 Years, with more than 300 bodies
\nburnt here as per hindu rituals everyday, Polluting the river system.
\nThis is the place where one forgets one own identity and realizes
\nthe True Meaning of Life.<\/p>\n

Sat<\/strong> here for long hours to see what is life nothing.<\/p>\n

It<\/strong> is said that taking bath in Ganga at 12.00 noon will clear you of all
\nyour evil deals. We followed this tradition and had a bath at 12.00
\nnoon during our stay here.<\/p>\n

Puh<\/strong>, this Ghat is real intense… i couldn\u00b4t bear the atmosphere!
\nEverything is full with garbage and mudd, just disgusting… plus you
\nsee things you probably wont see… like a foot out of the burning
\nfire…<\/p>\n

\u0432\u043e\u0442<\/strong> \u0431\u044b\u0432\u0430\u044e\u0442 \u0434\u043e\u0441\u0442\u043e\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043c\u0435\u0447\u0430\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438 \u043a\u043e\u0442\u043e\u0440\u044b\u0435 \u043a\u0430\u043a \u0431\u044b \u043f\u043e\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u043b
\n\u0438 \u0437\u0430\u0431\u044b\u043b, \u0442\u0435 \u043d\u0435 \u043e\u0441\u0442\u0430\u0432\u0438\u043b\u0438 \u043e\u043d\u0438 \u043d\u0438\u0447\u0435\u0433\u043e \u0432 \u0442\u0435\u0431\u0435, \u0437\u0434\u0435\u0441\u044c \u0436\u0435
\n\u043f\u0440\u043e\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430\u0435\u0448\u044c\u0441\u044f \u0430\u0442\u043c\u043e\u0441\u0444\u0435\u0440\u043e\u0439.<\/p>\n

This<\/strong> is where life comes to a halt, it was very interesting to see how
\nthe rituals are performed. While we were out on the visit, there were
\nalmost more than 15 rituals happening at the ghat. May all the souls
\nrest in peace.<\/p>\n

Intense<\/strong> and slightly mad place. It has a fiery energy, and it attracts
\ndrunks, stoners, holy men and lunatics.<\/p>\n

Why<\/strong>, oh why, would you want to see the last rites of fellow humans?
\nYes, Hindus burn their dead, but the morbid curiosity that this ghat
\nevokes is quite nauseating. We asked our boatmen to get us as far
\naway as he could.<\/p>\n

If<\/strong> you’re really lucky, you may see an aghori sadhu hovering in the
\nshadows (their temple is nearby), waiting to snatch some ashes of
\nhuman remains to paint on his skin, signaling to the world that he is
\nin league with death.<\/p>\n

Only<\/strong> men come to the pyre, as women are thought to be too
\nemotional to view the burning body. (Some ideas could use
\nupdating!) The oldest son shaves his head and wears white, then
\nleads the family in placing wood on the fire, sprinkling it with
\nincense.<\/p>\n

A<\/strong> game changing experience.<\/p>\n

Seen<\/strong> pyare flaming, what a faith of human being on Ganga river
\nthat they want to get Ashed away here in want of Nirvana.<\/p>\n

Manikarnika<\/strong> Ghat is one of two sites where cremations are
\nperformed 24\/7 out in the open. The other site (Harishchandra Ghat)
\ncan be used by other religions or castes; the Manikarnika Ghat is
\nreserved for Hindus and handles about 65% of the cremations.
\nCrematiothen for the Hindus constitutes an interaction with the gods
\nby which the deceased is given to divinity. By burning the dead
\nbody, the spiritual essence of an individual is released from the
\nphysical body, hence the cycle of rebirth and death can continue.
\nFire is associated with purity and power to scare ghosts and
\ndemons. The eldest son walks around the shrouded body five times,
\nsprinkles Ganges water across the body, puts sandalwood on it then
\nlights the fire. It takes a few hours for the whole body to be con-
\nsumed, amidst a crowd of mourners, a cow chewing on leftover
\nflowers and dogs fighting over a human (?) bone.<\/p>\n

This<\/strong> place is neat and lot of rituals are going on for the dead and
\nfore parents. River ganga is in her full majesty and had a nice bath.
\nOne has to be careful with their belongings and toots.<\/p>\n

Buddha<\/strong> instructed his disciples to spend sometime in a
\ncrematorium just to detach oneself with the belief that one is body
\nand this ghat is an ideal place to do that. wish it was cleaner and
\nmore organised to handle visitors.<\/p>\n

The<\/strong> pyre is burning round the clock, If you are lucky you can spot a
\nAghori sadhu on the ghats, They meditate on the burning ghats. A
\nmoving experience to see the beliefs and to get remainded That we
\nall are heading to the end by the day.<\/p>\n

Of<\/strong> all the ghats in Varanasi, MaNikarnika stands distinct eliciting
\nawe and great respect. This is where human bodies are disposed
\noff. Generally they are cremated, except in five cases–kids under
\nfive, pregnant women, those died of cobra venom, those who
\ncommitted suicide, and the low caste, their bodies are tossed into
\nGanga tied to a stone. Its really a wonder how the dead bodies don’t
\ncontaminate the river.<\/p>\n

Manikarnika<\/strong> ghat, where human being is torched by their loved
\nones! We come out of this place with heavy heart, rather our feel
\nsorry for the departed as well as left behind.<\/p>\n

Due<\/strong> to the incessant begging, there was just no way we could feel a
\npart of the experience of watching the pyres and the grieving
\nprocess of such an incredible culture, which was the entire point of
\ngoing to Varanasi.<\/p>\n

Watch<\/strong> life and death go by with such ease, its such a though
\nprovoking space. I could spend hours there just observing and
\nsoaking in everything and I don’t mean it in a sad way at all.<\/p>\n

Quasi<\/strong> come se la morte avesse pi\u00f9 valore della vita.<\/p>\n

It<\/strong> is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to take pictures in this place even from
\nother ghats. When I was there, the relatives of one dead smashed
\nthe camera of a Japanese man Who was taking pictures.<\/p>\n

Those<\/strong> who visited varanasi first time should go to the Manikarnika
\nghat, have bath and had darshan of the Lord Manikarneeshwar, the
\ntemple in this ghat, then only should perform Main Kashi
\nVishwanath darshan.<\/p>\n

24<\/strong> hrs burning ghat–Hindu ritual–visit only if you can handle or
\nmove two ghats further to enjoy your cafe latte in jukaso ganges.<\/p>\n

He<\/strong> told me give a “donation.” I told him I had no money to give him
\nand he called me a liar and insisted I pay a “donation”. He followed
\nme for a couple mins before I lost my temper and started screaming
\nat him. By that time some Indian people started to stare and then he
\nleft. A well dressed Indian man who was observing told me he was a
\nregular scammer hanging out by the burning ghat trying to get
\nmoney from the tourists and that the money rarely go to the hands
\nof where it is needed for wood.<\/p>\n

This<\/strong> is not a tourist place but a place of attraction.
\nHindus burn their bodies here when someone dies.
\nThe whole thing happens before you when you see the body
\ntransforming to ash, light, heat, moisture and air.
\nIt means human body consists of the five elements and it is again
\nrecycled or reassimilated into five elements.<\/p>\n

must<\/strong> visit for them who want to see the reality of human body when
\nit comes to end and the body for which we care so much. Hindus
\nbelieve that death is the last truth of this world.<\/p>\n

Na<\/strong> miesta, ak\u00e9 je toto nem\u00f4\u017ee \u010dlovek nap\u00edsa\u0165 PEKN\u00da recenziu.
\nPohrebn\u00e9 miesta v Indii maj\u00fa in\u00e9 krit\u00e9rium na to, aby “z\u00edskali 5
\nhviezdi\u010diek”<\/p>\n

*Advisable<\/strong> not to visit the place on a full tummy.<\/p>\n

\u706b\u846c\u5834\u306e\u30ac\u30fc\u30c8\u3067\u3059\u3002\u8fba\u308a\u306b\u306f\u305f\u304f\u3055\u3093\u306e\u85aa\u304c\u7a4d\u307e\u308c\u3066\u304a\u308a\u3001\u7159\u304c\u6f02\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u3053\u3053\u6b7b
\n\u8005\u3092\u706b\u846c\u306b\u3057\u3066\u7070\u306f\u30ac\u30f3\u30b8\u30b9\u6cb3\u306b\u6d41<\/p>\n

Truly<\/strong> worthy place for mochhya here.maximum person came kashi
\nfor mochhya,and he want that his last time spend in kashi and after
\ndeath his body last fireup here.Very calm place is this manikarnika
\nghat. Some problem about garbage and not so clean but overall
\ngood.<\/p>\n

I<\/strong> approached this Ghat via walkways and lanes which are also close
\nto “Blue Lassi’ (well worth a visit, best fruit lassi)<\/p>\n

This<\/strong> is the dark hart of the city, where dogs and monkeys sorround
\nthe caretakers of death.<\/p>\n

We<\/strong> had been walking along the ghats from the southern end
\nwere taking photos as we went, when all of a sudden, out of no-
\nwhere, we were confronted by a group of men. One shouted, ” You
\nhave taken photos of cremation! You must pay dishonour money.<\/p>\n

I<\/strong> stayed in Mishra Guest House which is near to this ghat. In the
\nevening there is a chaiwala serving lemon team for just Rs. 5. The
\ntea is awesome.<\/p>\n

P<\/strong>ortal to the Infinite.<\/p>\n

Pour<\/strong> nous occidentaux il faut se pr\u00e9parer et alors nous sommes en
\ncommunion avec ce ritual.<\/p>\n

Highly<\/strong> recommend to adults to get a deferent sense of death. Not
\nfor children. This is death unvarnished and real–not a Disney movie,
\nokay?<\/p>\n

He<\/strong> asked for a donation to help the poor buy wood for their pyres
\n(we were astounded by how much wood is needed and used – not
\nenvironmentally friendly at all!)<\/p>\n

I<\/strong> went there three times and now looking back the Hindus there are
\nall trying to scam you<\/p>\n

Es<\/strong> gibt hier auch keinerlei \u00fcble Ger\u00fcche, da das Holz sehr heiss
\nbrennt.<\/p>\n

Nobody<\/strong> should visit this place randomly withought any goal. Only
\nspiritual seekers should go and witness the rituals to gain deeper
\ninsights about life and beyond…<\/p>\n

I<\/strong> watch the mummy corpse of an old woman shrouded in red and
\nblack cloth and set on a bamboo bed. If someone peeled away the
\nwrapping what I\u2019d see would be the crumbling form of the goddess
\nKali.<\/p>\n

*These comments were originally posted in TripAdvisor. I\u2019ve torqued & treated
\nthem into serving a higher purpose<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/jaffeantijaffe.sdsu.edu\/<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/jaffeantijaffe<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/haroldjaffe.wordpress.com\/<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Burn Manikarnika* the primary burning ghat in Varanasi Tourist responses Words can’t begin to describe experiencing this ghat from a boat on the Ganges at sunset. I left knowing I had seen a gateway, primal and haunting. See sole of people and there touch in hindu. this is place you forget your identity and become […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1694"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1696,"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1694\/revisions\/1696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fictioninternational.sdsu.edu\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}