Oh, the Places We'll Go » Ganga Aarti http://tedandsarah.com Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:00:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Spontaneous Party in Varanasi http://tedandsarah.com/2011/08/17/spontaneous-party-in-varanasi/ http://tedandsarah.com/2011/08/17/spontaneous-party-in-varanasi/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:56:04 +0000 Ted http://tedandsarah.com/?p=1451 Read the Rest...
]]> On our 2nd night, we were headed to dinner along the primary street to the main ghat, when we passed a big commotion in the roundabout. We attempted to see what was going on, and gathered in the cluster that had choked up the roundabout as the spectacle moved through. There was loud music, costumes, and dancing, but we couldn’t see too well, so we moved on towards the ghat. A few minutes later, the spectacle moved in our direction, and perching on the road divider, we witnessed a crazy impromptu celebration in the street. First, a few flag bearers led the charge.  Then, a truck with huge speakers blasting dance music rolled through, followed closely by a mobile dance party. After, the main event decided to make a stop right in front of us. A few costumed dancers in huge head-dresses and waving swords (entirely too close to by-standers) performed a mock-battle. 1/2 way through, the main swordsman lit his swords on fire and continued the battle. After more than 5 minutes, the party moved on towards the ghat. For some reason, we didn’t think this random celebration is so random in Varanasi. We’d already witnessed parades of musicians and dancers throughout the day, never sure of what they were celebrating or mourning. Crazy sh*t must happen here all the time.

Flag bearers lead the procession

Then the mobile dance party rolls through

Then the performance begins

Now, it's time to light those swords on fire

Finally, the rest of the party rolls through

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