India, the Ganges and the corpses

[HappyAsHellas]

I'm sure we've all seen pictures of Indians bathing in the Ganges before, but I'd never ever seen anything like this before. Have I been living a sheltered life, or do our documentary makers just decide to ignore this side of things?

http://www.chinasmack.com/2010/pictures/filthy-india-photos-chinese-netizen-reactions.html

[Mon Dieu4]

I thought it was fairly well known that they burn the corpses on the shores of the Ganges, I've seen it in a fair few documentaries too

[HappyAsHellas]

I thought it was fairly well known that they burn the corpses on the shores of the Ganges, I've seen it in a fair few documentaries too

Yeah I've seen that lots of times, I've just never seen the bloated corpses floating about everywhere. They must just get dumped, as there are lots of them in the article if you look at all the photos.

[Holmesdale Hibs]

I spent some time in Varanasi in 2005 and its a fascinating place and well worth a visit. The word 'charismatic' is used a lot to describe cities but I can't think of anywhere more deserving of that description than here. The main hotel area near the ghats is a series of alley ways and its not uncommon to pass a funeral possession, a live band (it's also famous for Indian music), some cows, goats and kids playing cricket all within a few minutes.

I went on a rowing boat down the Ganges but thankfully didn't see any corpses, although I believe it's quite common. Great place to visit but difficult to fit in a 2 week holiday if you're working. Cheers for posting the link.

[Baader]

Been to Varanasi and been rowed down the Ganges there. It is really an incredible place. Quite mindblowing. Seen the burning ghats but bodies in the river are not that common a sight as this makes out. A Hindu undertaker we met by the river told us children are not burned (because they are pure) and also victims of fatal snakebites. Instead they are put directly into the Ganges. I do remember our boatman scooping up water from the river and drinking it. Would probably kill any of us! Because the river is sacred Indians believe it to be pure - probably the cause of much dynstery and worse...! Seeing dead bodies, people washing themselves and their clothes and young kids playing in the river it really does enforce the cycle of life.

[Sylar]

A Chinese article criticising environmental quality in another country?

What's that expression about people in glass houses?

A filthier nation (from an environmental perspective) you're unlikely to find.