Looking for a deeper meaning, I visit the holy city of Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Here, millennial bonfires burn the bodies of the Hindi people to release them from the cycle of renaissance. The pilgrims plunge into the river Ganges to purify their souls and the sacred cows are guarded with kindness and care. I then dive into the city’s vegetable market, where 80% of the inhabitants are vegetarian. A visit to the brick factory in Chaubepur and a quick stop at the Buddhist shrine in Sarnath conclude my tour.

All photos and articles in this Travel Blog are by Andrea Marchegiani.