From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2008

"On the train, well fed and ready for bed. We're settling into our leader roles nicely and are super excited for Varanasi! -Ari, aka the Manger Arranger"

As the Manger Arranger's just-in text message confirms, the student-run portion of the semester is off and running as the group's train rolls out of Jaipur, bound for Varanasi. The students have been responsible for planning all their travel logistics as well as academic and experiential education components for their journey to the most sacred of Hindu pilgrimage sites, located on the banks of the Ganges River in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Justin, Peter, and Tracy are along for the ride as resourceful passengers if the crew needs any advice.

Varanasi (which is also known as Banares, Kashi, and many other names) is considered one of the oldest living cities in the world. After visiting the city, Mark Twain wrote, "Banares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together."

Considered the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology, Varanasi's sacred geography will be explained in detail when the group tours the city's sacred circuit under the tutelage of Professor Rana-ji of Banaras Hindu University.

John