CHAPTER XIV.

BENARES.

The plains of the Ganges--The crops, and the peasant life-- Sentiment of the great expanse--Sacredness of the river-- Far-back worship of Siva--Benares a centre of Hindu life-- The streets and shops--The Golden Temple--The riverside, characteristic scenes--A spring festival--A talk with a yogi--The burning ghauts--Panna Lall wants to bathe-- Religious ablutions--A self-mutilated fakir 252–267