A group of monks on their way to prayer.

Sutras - prayer flags: they are used to bless the surrounding countryside as well as bring peace and promote wisdom, compassion and strength.

People believe that the prayers are blown away by the wind to spread the compassion and good will into all pervading spaced.

Although prohibited, people stick this golden foil everywhere as a sign of worship in Buddhism. It stands for purity as a religious offering and for its power to placate spirits and request favours.

Copper prayer rolls at the holiest place in Varanasi, where Buddha spoke first to his first five disciples.

A yogi on his way along the ghats.

A guru contemplating in the evening rush of Varanasi's streets.

Every evening at around 6 o'clock, the world famous Arti takes place down at the ghats of the river Ganges.

Varanasi has more that 84 ghats and every evening this ceremony takes place on every single one of them - what a spectacle!

A magical place along the ghats of Varanasi - ancient buildings touched by fiery light.