It felt good that we were the ones to run and hide. So unlike ZOOs where the animals are behind bars. The tourists photograph the pilgrims as they bathe and visit temples. And the citizens make money on the bathing pilgrims and clicking tourists. Varanasi, earlier called Benares, is the holiest of the Hindus' holy cities.
Millions go there every year, followed by thousands of tourists.
Varanasi is a horribly beautiful place, literally speaking. It is a rather dirty, stinking city, which also goes for the holy Ganges, but so-so charming and exciting. The best place to be is at the Ghats , i.e. the line of buildings and steps on the riverfront. Read a bit more on Varanasi here .