The Burning Ghats

In the river city of Varanasi, the bodies of the devout dead are cremated and their ashes scattered. But now a lethal chemical is swirling down the river. Attorney George Sansi suspects a rich and invincible magnate.

There was another scream and another and then a terrible cry went up all along the ghats ... panic spread along the riverbank as people rushed to get out of the water. A lethal chemical spill kills thousands of pilgrims worshipping at a sacred Indian river. George Sansi is enticed by a dangerously seductive Government Minister to investigate the atrocity. An unscrupulous industrial tycoon will stop at nothing to cover his tracks ... The enigmatic George Sansi returns in a spellbinding novel of political intrigue, corporate greed and fierce passions.

“Pashupatinath Temple Burning Ghats” Photo Book Offers Rare Glimpse of Hindu Culture Pashupatinath Temple Burning Ghats is a celebration of Impermanence, a core concept in Hinduism and Buddhism. Shot from a distance so as not to intrude on anyone's privacy, this 32 page photo essay chronicles a Hindu funeral ritual from a perspective of reverence. Travel photographer Tammy Winand spent 16 months between November 2009 and October 2011 living in the Himalayan regions of north India and Nepal. Her first book from this experience, Pashupatinath Temple Burning Ghats, provides an intimate glimpse into a foreign culture few westerners ever have the opportunity to experience. In April 2011, during a whirlwind one day tour of greater Kathmandu, Nepal, Ms. Winand was taken by a friend to the Hindu holy shrine of Pashupatinath. While there, she had the rare chance to observe local funerary rites. Shot from a distance on the opposite bank of a river so as not to intrude on anyone's privacy, the 32 images in this book chronicle one Hindu funeral ritual from start to finish. The images are intimate and speak of the core Hindu and Buddhist concepts of suffering and Impermanence. Ms. Winand chose to self-publish her first book with Blurb. It is available in both softcover and hardcover editions, from $22.95 USD. All images copyright 2011 by Tammy Winand.

A study of Hindu death rituals and the sacred specialists who perform them in the Indian city of Banaras.

Reproduction of the original.

This book discusses the importance of socio-spatial patterns in cities that are embedded in the cultural heritage and self-understanding of a society, showing that Indian cities follow different urban concepts. In nine episodes (nine is a sacred figure), it highlights the principal influences and social impacts on cities from ancient times to contemporary city developments. As such, it provides planners and architects with insights that can easily be applied in contemporary cities and towns and help foster India’s cultural heritage—a much-needed, but little-discussed approach. Indian cities are the result of various factors, some imposed, others following local traditions that shaped them. They were founded around social needs, landscape conditions and production routines, as well as the religious influences of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity and animism. However, Western town-planning models are often implemented, blurring the traditional way of life in cities. For sustainable town development, it is of key importance to find solutions that deal with Indian city models.

This region takes in the contrasts of India. From the brash and chaotic Delhi, through Varanasi, India’s holiest city, to the cultural hub that is Kolkata, these cities will truly provide an experience of India. Footprint Focus provides invaluable information on transport, accommodation, eating and entertainment to ensure that your trip includes the best of these dynamic destinations. • Essentials section with useful advice on getting to Delhi, Varanasi and Kolkata. • Comprehensive, up-to-date listings of where to eat, sleep and play. • Includes information on tour operators and activities, from tightly packed markets to visiting the holy riverbank. • Detailed maps for Delhi, Kolkata and other key destinations. • Slim enough to fit in your pocket. With detailed information on all the main sights, plus many lesser-known attractions, Footprint Focus Delhi to Kolkata provides concise and comprehensive coverage of one of India’s most fascinating regions. The content of Footprint Focus Delhi to Kolkata guide has been extracted from Footprint's India Handbook.