Cruising Varanasi, India at Sunrise

The best time to experience the spiritual energy of Varanasi is at sunrise. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

As the sun rises, it is customary to make a wish while releasing a diya into the water. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Experiencing Varanasi’s sunrise by boat on the Ganges River has become popular among tourists. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Hindus hope that their ashes are released in the Ganges River at Varanasi, though many also travel here to perform their ritual ablutions each morning. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

The river is used not just for holy purposes, but for bathing and washing clothes as well. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Varanasi has more than 80 ghats (a series of steps that lead into the river), and most ghats are used for bathing. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Some ghats are used exclusively for cremations, which are carried out by an Untouchable Caste. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Cruising the four-mile river is a fantastic way to see the multiple activities that are carried out each morning. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Boat rides can take between one to two hours // © 2014 Mindy Poder

The busiest section of the long succession of ghats is around the main Dashashwamedh Ghat. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

After bathing in the ghats, many Hindus go to one of Varanasi’s many temples to pray. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Unlike men, women must be fully covered when entering the Ganges River. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Some ghats are just a series of steps, while others are surrounded by shops and temples. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

Ganpati (or Ganesha) is one of the most worshipped Hindu deities. // © 2014 Mindy Poder

A group of men sit near the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi // © 2014 Mindy Poder

One man performs puja in Varanasi // © 2014 Mindy Poder

You’re guaranteed great people watching when spending the morning along the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, no matter how you do it. // © 2014 Mindy Poder