Located on the banks of the holy Ganges River, Varanasi is considered the most significant of India’s seven sacred cities and the hallowed ground of Hinduism. The Ganges River itself forms the spiritual epicentre of the city: Hindus believe it to be the embodiment of the goddess Ganga and the source of instant salvation for those who die here. It’s also thought that bathing in the river cleanses one of sins and psychic impurities and to this end, larges slabs of stone have built into the banks to form steps leading to the water’s edge, known as ghats. There are almost 100 of these in Varanasi, some of which are designated for cremation of the dearly departed, and others that are utilised for bathing rituals of purification.