A man taking dip in the river Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

A man taking dip on the river Ganges , Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh,  India
Belief is that one’s sins will be washed away if you take a dig in the river.

A man taking dip on the river Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

A priest applying sandalwood paste on the forehead of a woman devotee at Ghats of Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

A priest applying sandalwood paste on the forehead of a woman devotee  at Ghats of Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh,  India
Marking on forehead with sandalwood paste is considered to have health and spiritual benefits and widely practiced when people visit temples.

A priest applying sandalwood paste on the forehead of a woman devotee at Ghats of Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

A young barber shaving off beard of a man who is offering it at Ghats of Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

A priest applying sandalwood paste on the forehead of a woman devotee  at Ghats of Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh,  India
People usually grow up hair for a few weeks or months and would shave off at the temples.

A young barber removing beard of a man who is offering it at Ghats of Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India