Around the Next Bend

The Ganges River is considered one of the holiest rivers in the world At 2510 km long draws from the Western Himalayas in Northern India flowing southeast to Bangladesh where it drains into the Indian Ocean The river is home to millions of people whose religions traditions and ways of life have been shaped by centuries of living along its banks

The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in Northern India. Unfortunately the Yamuna is also one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Millions of people depend on the polluted Yamuna water.

The Taj Mahal lies on the bank of the Yamuna river in the city of Agra While Agra is probably best known for the Taj and other historical buildings from the same era it is also renowned for its handy crafts marble and stone inlay work and its sweets The leather industry is also among the most traditional and original industries of Agra

The Taj Mahal lies on the bank of the Yamuna river in the city of Agra. While Agra is probably best known for the Taj and other historical buildings from the same era, it is also renown for its handy crafts, marble and stone inlay work and its sweets.

Struggling through extreme heat exhaustion and a robbery Dustin and Adrian realize the enormity of the task ahead and question whether or not to continue to Bangladesh

For Hindus there is no city holier than Varanasi also known as Benares or Kashi It is located on the banks of the Ganges in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh Established over 3000 years ago it is one of the oldest cities in India Hindus believe that dousing oneself in the holy waters of the Ganga is the only true way to cleanse the soul of sin

For Hindus, there is no city holier than Varanasi, also known as Benares or Kashi, it is located on the banks of the Ganges in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Established over 3,000 years ago, it is one of the oldest cities in India. Hindus believe that dousing one's self in the holy waters of the Ganga is the only true way to cleanse the soul of sin.

The monsoon season typically arrives in June and lasts until September The season is marked by an intense initial downpour that lasts for days followed by a pattern of heavy rain for several hours each day Dustin and Adrian prepare to leave Varanasi for Bihar a rumored dangerous city with a professional guide to escort them

With a population of over 100 million Bihar is Indias third most populous state In ancient times the area was considered the countrys center of power learning and culture Now slow economic development has led it to becoming Indias poorest state Tensions begin to rise when Dustin and Adrian hear rumors that armed men guard the riverbank in Bihar

In traditional Indian culture, social status is defined by the caste system. It is a strict hierarchy that assigns social standing based on hereditary descendants. Under this system Indians are literally born into their social status. Modern India has done much to combat caste-based discrimination, but in rural areas it is still very much a visible part of life.

The raging river forces Dustin and Adrian to put their trip on hold and shelter up in the village of Raghunathpur where they are welcomed with open arms by the locals They eventually depart for Bangladesh but are quickly sidelined again shortly after arriving by an incoming cyclone

Considered to be the most densely populated country in the world, Bangladesh is situated on large, low-lying river deltas, flowing from the Himalayas into the Bay of Bengal.