A sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River.

More boats at the ready.

People come to the ghats, or riverbanks, to perform ritual bathing and other religious rites.

A street in Varanasi, near the ghats.

That evening, we took a ride in a bicycle rickshaw.  This was a very pleasant way to travel.

Just outside of Varanasi is Sarnath, which has historical significance for Buddhists.  These are the ruins of a monastery.  The large structure in the background marks the site of Buddha’s first sermon, given around 528 B.C. The monument itself probably dates from about the 5th century A.D.

Inside a temple at Sarnath.  This statue shows Buddha in a teaching position.

Prayer flags at Sarnath.

Khajuraho is home to several Hindu and Jain temples from roughly the 10th century.  These were “lost” for centuries, and re-discovered by the British in the 19th century.

The temples are ornately carved.  This is the Hindu god Ganesha.

Many of the carvings are quite erotic.  These are some relatively tame ones.