Varanasi: A city of frog marriages, death hotel and more

“Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”--Mark Twain. Well, legend has it that Varanasi, also known as Benares, was established by Lord Shiva in 3,000BC. But historical evidence suggests that the city was founded on the banks of river Ganges 2,000 years later. Currently, Varanasi lies in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India. For generations, the mystique of this heritage city has drawn pilgrims from all over India and overseas. Interestingly, the name Varanasi is a portmanteau of the names of two rivers Varuna and Asi, between which the city exists. But this is also known by many different names all across the country: Benaras, Sudarsana, Ramya, Kashi, and Brahma Vardha. 

Varanasi is the vibrant, fascinating and attractive India you imagine, with its old maths, temples, ashrams, priests, and narrow streets lined with shops selling the statement Varanasi sarees. Let's go on a virtual journey of the city of ghats and explore what makes it so unique. 

The ritual of frog marriage! 
The holy city of Varanasi is known for some uncanny and astonishing customs too. Folks catching frogs and marrying them is one of the oddest customs you can witness here! People still follow this ancient custom to appease the Varuna Dev (God of sky and water). This ritual is carried out just like a grand wedding ceremony when monsoons are delayed. Hundreds congregate yearly at the Ashwamegh Ghat to witness this fascinating frog marriage performed by a Hindu priest. But how did this tradition begin? It is unclear as to how and why the tradition originated. However, according to Hindu mythology, Vishnu took the avatar of an amphibian to save humanity. Perhaps, the ritual of frog marriage is an allusion to that incident. After all, frogs are amphibians as well! Apart from this, there could be a slightly different reason for choosing frogs for marriage. It is believed that frogs can detect impending rains. So, when they croak, it signals that monsoon is underway. Frog marriages are organised in order to make them croak.  

There’s a death hotel in Varanasi 
It's believed in Hindu mythology that anyone who takes their last breath in this city of temples undoubtedly finds salvation. Fact or myth, no one knows, but to find redemption and a spot in heaven, people visit this pious town from across the globe. For centuries, people have believed that taking their last breath in Varanasi will free them from the cycle of life, death and rebirth. So, ailing or old people come here to spend the last few days of their lives in the hope of attaining salvation. In fact, there is a hotel dedicated for them too, famously known as the ‘death hotel’. Officially, it is called Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan. This hotel offers rooms to people only for a period of 15 days at a stretch. 

The Aghori sadhus 
Varanasi, which is believed to have been founded by Lord Shiva, is home to his followers, the Aghori sadhus. The name Aghori has its roots in the Sanskrit word ‘Aghora’ which means ‘fearless’. These devotees of Lord Shiva are often dreaded for indulgence in cannibalism, necromancy and necrophilia. You will see them wearing real human skulls which are sometimes used by them as food and sometimes as jewellery too! This is not all. This spiritual sect also practises black magic, and tantrik activities that are not part of normative Hindu religion.