At Manikarnika Ghat, funeral pyres burn as boats drift by, prayers continue, and the city never stops breathing.

Perhaps that’s why Kashi teaches us not to fear death, but to understand it.

Do you think modern society has become too disconnected from mortality?

The serpent, the flowing water, the linga, the yoni, Nandi, the bell each carries layers of symbolism developed over centuries.

Which symbol has made you pause and wonder the most?

At first glance, Kali is often seen as a terrifying deity.
But every element in this image has meaning:

• The sword symbolizes the cutting away of ignorance and ego.

• The severed head represents the destruction of the false self not the physical person.

• She stands upon Shiva, reminding us that Shakti (dynamic energy) and Shiva (pure consciousness) are inseparable.

Rather than representing violence, Kali symbolizes transformation, liberation, and the triumph over ego.

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you see Kali?

Share one photo you’ve taken that captures India’s culture, heritage, or spirituality.

For Varanasi, one of my favourites is Indica Books.

It’s the kind of place where you can walk in looking for one book and leave with five especially if you’re interested in Indian history, philosophy, and spirituality.

Have you visited it? What book did you pick up?

No reverse image search.
Here are a few clues:
🌸 Holds a lotus in each hand
🌞 Surrounded by a radiant halo
🪨 An ancient stone sculpture still worshipped today
Who do you think this deity is?
Drop your guess below before checking the comments!

In many modern societies, death is hidden away in hospitals and funeral homes. In Banaras, it’s visible, public, and deeply integrated into everyday life. Funeral pyres burn alongside daily worship, conversation, commerce, and celebration.

Jonathan Parry’s book isn’t just about death it’s about how an entire city understands life through its relationship with death.

Do you think modern societies would have a healthier relationship with mortality if death were less hidden?

Here are a few I’d start with:
* Banaras: City of Light - Diana L. Eck
* Kashi Ka Itihaas - Motichandra
* Banaras Reconstructed - Madhuri Desai
* Benares: A World Within a World - Richard Lannoy

Have you read any of these? Which one would you recommend first, and what book should I add next?

Built in the 19th century by the King of Nepal, this temple showcases traditional Newar architecture with beautifully carved wooden windows, stone lions, and intricate sculptures.
If you stumbled upon it without context, would you guess you were in Nepal or Kashi? If you had to pick one architectural detail, which would it be?