also includes death, and so today we went to see the Hindu Shrines that include the place where people are cremated...out in the open with the crowds watching. Although I noticed that they only watched the beginning...not to the end. You can see the process on the attached photos... The ashes are then thrown in the river...a holy river and taken to heaven. It was sort of creepy (only because it is not my culture or religion - shows my low cultural intelligence), yet very fascinating. We also saw many small temples with worship going on all over...I wondered if they were like intimate Christian funerals - remembering their loved ones and asking for blessings for those remaining.
I am thinking that the body is in a simple casket, because I saw one by the river bank, and then it has a beautiful cloth on top, surrounded by logs and they are now setting it on fire.
This is a view of the burning spots (I am sure there is a more aesthetic name) from across the river...
The same cremation we saw when it was being lit from an areal view after it is flaming...
The tops of the many many small temples...
What an awesome experience...it seemed surreal. So many people seeking God and the afterlife...
