The Ultimate Liberation: Death in Varanasi
Feb 09, 2020
4 minutes
Text and Photos Amardeep Singh
In the ancient Hindu scripture Matsya Purana, Lord Shiva says, “Varanasi is my most sacred place, the cause of liberation. All sins, which may have accumulated in thousands of previous lives, disappear if one dies here.” Varanasi is a city of contrasts. Death and life, asceticism and hedonism, learning and ignorance – all exist side by side here.
Following age-old traditions, many people move to Varanasi towards the end of their lives. It’s strange, but only here can you find hotels that are targeted at dying enthusiasts. Such establishments have a unique policy, which typically reads: “Welcome to check-in at no cost, but should you not die in a
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