In the holy Hindu city of Varanasi, just a short walk from the sacred river Ganges is the mukti bhavan. This hotel is the last destination, a final stopover for elderly Hindus, for those who come to die. Hoping they will shortly end up on one of the hundreds of funeral pyres lit on the riverbank each day.

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Varanasi ghats, Image credit: esperanzajenn

After checking in at the hostel, a guest has two weeks to die or else they are gently asked to leave. Between 30 and 70 people die here every month. Death in the holy city of Varanasi and ashes scattered on the sacred ganges, is means to attain ‘moksha’ or salvation for the devout Hindu, that is their soul is then able to escape a cycle of death and rebirth.

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Varanasi, burning ghat, Image credit:
germeister

Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the name of Kashi and Benaras. Kashi, the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries, is known for its fine-quality silks, ‘paan’ and Benares Hindu University and Avimukta of the ancient days.

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River Ganges in Varanasi, Image credit

Varanasi is the most popular pilgrimage point for the Hindus. One of the seven holiest cities, Varanasi city is also one the Shakti Peethas and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India.

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Night Puja in Varanasi, Image credit

Mukti Bhawan or “Salvation House” offers 12 bare, tatty rooms arranged around a courtyard in a 100-year-old red-brick building with green shutters. While those who can afford it pay their electricity and food bills. The poorest families pay nothing.

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Harishchandra Ghat is a secondary burning Ghat used for cremation, Image credit

Nobody really knows when one is going to die, so when to come here is a bit of a gamble. There are only priests here that pray for death to come.

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Ram Bhog Pandey is a 85-year-old former teacher from a village in Bihar. His son brought him here after the doctors said there was no hope for him. His rheumy eyes stare at anyone entering the room. He struggles to smile. Mushed up food falls from his mouth. His body is skeletal.

His son Daya Shankar said:

It would be a great shame if his father missed the chance to draw his last breath in Varanasi, But perhaps he will get another chance at the end of his next life.

Source: Reuters