WESmile Magazine January 2020

TRAVEL
PILGRIMAGE TO
Ganges - Varanasi - Sarnath
THAI SMILE’S INAUGURAL FLIGHT FOR BANGKOK – VARANASI ROUTE TOOK ABOUT 3 AND A HALF HOURS, WITH
THE CARRIER’S EXECUTIVES, PHRA V. WACHIRAMATEE AND MANY PASSENGERS ON BOARD. THE FLIGHT LANDED IN
‘VARANASI’, WHICH IS NOT JUST A BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT CITY BUT ALSO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT
RELIGIOUS TOWNS.
Sacred to Hindus and Jains, Varanasi has
also had a prominent place in Buddhism
because Lord Buddha delivered his 1st
sermon in this city. Buddhists therefore
are among pilgrims heading to Varanasi.
Our group began our pilgrimage in
Varanasi with a boat ride through the
Ganges River. Even before sunrise, the
riverbank was crowded with many people
praying under candlelight and several
others preparing to wade into the river to
wash away their sin. Ganga, worshipped
by Hindus and many Buddhists, is the
River Goddess.
During the cruise, we also floated
floral vessels to show respect to Ganga.
Then, we got off the boat at Manikarnika
Ghat or the riverfront cremation ground.
Bodies were cremated here before ashes
were floated into Ganges. Because the
river is believed to have flowed from
Heaven, it is expected to bring the
deceased back to the heavenly realm.
Cremations have taken place round
the clock year-round for thousands
of years here. Varanasi, as a result, is
known as the City of Fire. Here, Phra V.
Wachiramatee led prayers in dedication
to the decreased and advised our group
members to contemplate on lives just as
the first rays of the sun appeared over
the horizons.
From here, we headed to Sarnath.
Known in the old days as Isipatana
Mrigadayavan Forest, the city hosts the
Dhamek Stupa, one of the 4 holy sites
directly related to Lord Buddha. This
stupa was reportedly built in the reign of
King Ashoka the Great on the spot where
บน : คูณะแสี่วังบุญร้วัมทำบ ุญ
ทีธิร้ร้มเมกขสี่ถูปิ
Top : Pilgrims make merits
together at the Dhamek Stupa.
上 方 : 朝 圣 团 队 在 达 麦 塔 参 加 行 善 。
ลาง : ผู้้คนเนืองแนนเข้าชีมพิธีี
คูงคูาอาร้ตั้ี
Bottom : Ganga Aarti draws
huge crowds.
下 方 : 慕 名 前 来 参 加 恒 河 火 祭 仪 式 的
人 们 。
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