India Ganges River

Varanasi on the Ganges River has been an important cultural and religious centre for thousands of years. Stepped embankments along the river are known as Ghats. This is where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Some Ghats are used for Hindu human cremations and the associated rituals.

In general the Ghats (and for that matter most of Varanasi) is a street photographer's dream. The streets surge with people going about their business, often their business being transacted on the road side. The Ghats in particular are relatively quite though no less densely populated and provide innumerable opportunities for photography both day and night.

Subject matter and lighting are so varied that it is hard to be specific about lens choice. A 24-70 fast zoom is probably best if you are travelling light which is advisable. For night shots a fast prime between 50mm and 85mm would be my choice although there are many occasions when a wide angle lens would be best.

Varanasi is a sprawling chaotic city. My impression is that it would be very difficult to travel around alone without a guide. I was in a small tour party and all accommodation, transportation and access to cultural places had been arranged for us.