Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World. Part 6

In this lively travelogue the narrator wanders the bustling streets of Benares, a city that feels like a single, sprawling temple where every alley, riverbank and market stall offers a glimpse of devotion. He sketches a practical pilgrim’s itinerary—morning rites on the Ganges, a quick visit to the cow temple, and a chance to rub the sacred cows’ tails—while peppering his observations with sharp wit and gentle sarcasm. The reader gets a vivid sense of the city’s kaleidoscopic rituals, its crowded ghats, and the colorful characters who keep the ancient customs alive.

Beyond Benares, the journey rolls on by rail to Calcutta and onward through the plains, jungles and hill stations of India. From towering palaces and bustling bazaars to encounters with monkeys, nightingales and even a tiger hunt, the narrative blends awe‑inspiring description with humor that both celebrates and gently pokes fun at the country’s contradictions. It’s a portrait of a land where the extraordinary and the everyday sit side by side, inviting listeners to explore the rich tapestry of Indian life through an outsider’s keen, amused eye.