Havell, Ernest B.: Benares, the sacred city: Sketches of Hindu life and religion (London, [1912])

viii BENARES, THE SACRED CITY

Chapter V. In the City—

Page

The sacrificial virtue of the city and environs—The up-to-date
Indian's transformation—The cantonment—Streets—Symbol-
ism of Hindu temples—The microcosm of Indian life—Art
industries—The dancing-girls—Story of Vajrasena and Syama 71

Chapter VI. On the Ganges—

The river at dawn and sunrise—Rites and ceremonies of the
bathers—Ganges water—Funeral rites—The Diwali festival - 90

Chapter VII. The Ghats—Asi Sangam to Nepali Ghat—
Dasasamedh Ghat—The Kali-puja—Sitala Ghat—Munshi
Ghat—Yogic exercises—Chauki Ghat—The pippal-tree—The
Aghoris — Kedarnath Ghat—Shivala Ghat and fort—Mud-
figures of Bhima—The tulasi plant—Man Mandil Ghat and
the observatory—The Nepalese temple - - - - - 106

Chapter VIII. The Ghats—From Manikarnika to Barna
Sangam—

Scene at Manikarnika—The well—Scindhia Ghat—A camping-
ground for Sadhus—Ram Ghat and Panchganga—The piazza
at Panchganga—A bed of spikes—A Vaishnavite nun - - 134

Chapter IX. The Temples and Sacred Wells—

The different classes of Hindu deities—Household worship—
The Durga temple—The Ahmety temple—Annapurna temple
—Vishweshwar—The temple at Ramnagar—The Maharaja's
palace—Temple of Bhaironath—Ganesha, the god of wisdom—
The well of Knowledge and the well of Fate—The Snake well 160

Chapter X. The Panch-tirth and the Pilgrimage of
the Panch-kosi Road—The Pilgrimage of the Soul—

The virtues of pilgrimages—The Panch-kosi road and village
of Khandawa—Shradha ceremonies for the repose of the souls
of the dead..........186