A morning view of the holiest cremation spot on the Ganges in Varanasi. Cremation at this site in this holiest of cities provides the final step into liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. The large pile is comprised of the bamboo sticks used to carry the deceased to the river, and the gilt cloth used to wrap the body for transport. The wood on the barge and stored in the stacks is used for the cremation. There were no fires at this moment in the morning, but by evening there will be multiple cremations at the same time.

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