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VARANASI: The Holiest City in India

Written by Indira Mohabeer (American University) Student Correspondent for UW in India: Varanasi, Fall 2019

Before reaching Varanasi/Benares, we spent a couple of days in Delhi, India. While there, we visited Humayan’s Tomb, this grand and sacred tomb of the late-great 16th-century Mogul Emperor, was commissioned and designed by his chief consort (wife) Empress Bega Begum…
The Tomb is filled with architectural goodies, for instance, check out this cool exterior shot from a corner-view of the main tomb!
The steps leading up to the ‘roof’ and the tomb chambers, are very (ahem) VERY steep. According to Harini-ji (our program director), the moguls purposely made the stairs this way so that they could be hidden from intruders; the steepness of the stairs would also trump any wrongdoers from getting into the tomb quickly and/or efficiently.
Fun Fact! Emperor Humayan is not actually buried in his tomb (for assumable reasons), his remains reside in the (much) lower depths of the structure.
The tomb was very beautiful, and really showcased the exceptional architectural skills of the Moguls.
I found a plaque with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s name on it, ‘Indira’ just so happens to be my name!
Finally in Varanasi!! Cows are sacred in India, especially in Varanasi! Thus, they cannot ever be killed or harmed- they are practically a part of the Benares community and can be seen regularly on a daily basis.
Stumbled upon some fun goats, chilling in a rickshaw.
More goats… I love them!
(Near the Program House) The swastika is a common and sacred symbol in Hinduism… unfortunately it had been corrupted and twisted, during WWII, to represent a symbol of pure hatred.
Me having some AMAZING chai in a local coffee shop!

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