Varanasi

An Aerial view shows Gyanvapi mosque, left, and Kashiviswanath temple on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi, India, Dec. 12, 2021.

Hindu claims to Varanasi mosque stoke religious tensions in India

Temple-mosque disputes have been flooding Indian courts in recent years. The current Gyanvapi mosque dispute stokes fear that violence could once again erupt between Hindus and Muslims over claims to the contested site.

Hindu claims to Varanasi mosque stoke religious tensions in India
India's Premier Modi in a street celebration

Huge crowds greet India's Modi in his sacred city seat

Huge crowds greet India's Modi in his sacred city seat
People take part in the Holi celebrations in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

This winter, we could all use a little Holi

This winter, we could all use a little Holi
Fisherman are silhouetted against the rising sun in the waters of the Ganges river.

Spreading my father's ashes on the Ganges felt like a link across the globe and across generations

Spreading my father's ashes on the Ganges felt like a link across the globe and across generations
Varanasi, India, at dawn.

Many in India worry that hundreds of millions of voters will be wrong, when they vote for Modi

Many in India worry that hundreds of millions of voters will be wrong, when they vote for Modi

Polluted waters, deforestation complicate India's cremation rituals

India's ritual of cremation is causing environmental complications. The Ganges River, where many are cremated, is remarkably polluted. And the country is rapidly being deforested as families collect thousands of pounds of wood to use in their funeral pyres.

Polluted waters, deforestation complicate India's cremation rituals
The World

Global hit

The World's Marco Werman profiles the latest album by the Algerian-born musician, Cheb i Sabbah. Sabbah's latest CD, "Devotion" is inspired by the rich sounds and rhythms of India.

Global hit