the most sacred strech of the ganges is varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world and arguably the most intense, atmospheric place in the whole of india. another name, "kashi", probably derives from the sanskrit "to shine or look brilliant". that light is the god shiva's, varanasi is his home. shiva means auspiciousness or happiness and, according to a local saying, every single peeble and stone in kashi is shiva. to die here in this city on the banks of the holy river is to achieve moksha, liberation from the cycle of life and death.

quero ver o sol pintar o céu de fogo e não ser mais nada
respirar fundo, viver ao segundo
e receber o dia de madrugada.