A Pet Care Centre
with the best spa in town
Comfortable, clean & healthy fresh air environment Quality, nutritious foods • Exercise yards up to one quarter acre Feline “Cuddle Time” • K-9 Playschool course Recommended by Veterinarians • Full grooming services
A Full Service Pet Care Facility 250.652.2301 • puppylove.ca • e: info@puppylove.ca 2918 Lamont Road, Saanichton Just minutes from Victoria Airport and BC Ferries Terminal
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Continuing
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As we approached the Ganges River, which dominates Varanasi, the area became an archaeologist’s delight. Centuries ago, Varanasi was wealthy and the rich built grand mansions and temples. Now it is run down and ill-maintained, but soaked in history. Jostling through the throng, my guide explained that Varanasi — pinned between two rivers — is the most densely populated city in India. It is also the holiest city in the country, visited by multitudes of pilgrims. Hindus strive to visit the city at least once in their lifetimes. And Varanasi attracts death. The elderly and sick arrive in droves so they can die here, be cremated and have their ashes spread in the Ganges. Several times, we saw a body enshrouded in gold-trimmed cloth being carried by four men through the chaotic traffic, heading for one of the cremation sites along the Ganges. Suddenly, as we toured the area, we witnessed the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and India. We passed a squad of soldiers, wearing camouflage gear and guarding a controversial area that had both a mosque and a Hindu temple in it — and the site of a recent terrorist bombing. “Put your camera away,” whispered the guide. Then we came upon the ghat with the funeral pyres. Eventually, after taking in this magical sight, we moved on. The crowds thickened and we passed gurus, sadhus, ascetics and other holy men who have renounced the worldly life. Immersed in every kind of humanity, we watched the nightly Ganga Aarti, an important Hindu ceremony, which is primarily attended by pilgrims. Seven priests in yellow robes clapped, sang, rang bells and blew conch horns amid billowing clouds of incense. A striking contrast to the Christian ceremonies I’ve seen! The next morning we set out on a sunrise cruise on the Ganges. The western shore of the river, lined with ghats, temples and great houses, was bathed in a golden light. Everything spoke of a glorious past. And in fact, Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. More than a century ago, Mark Twain referred to the city as “older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” The golden sun slowly rose, its reflection fiery in the still water, silhouetting boats like a fairy tale. Everything looked majestic in the pinkish glow. Later, I sat on the steps of a ghat, eating a flaky, spicy samosa, gazing at old palatial houses and watching people bathing in the waters below. What an exciting country! It felt like I had fallen down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole. P
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Continuing Education & Contract Training
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PEARL AUG/SEPT 2019
250-657-2000 | elizabethmaymp.ca 9711 4th St., Sidney BC V8L 2Y8