Varanasi is a city on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) southeast of the state capital, Lucknow. It is holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism. Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.
Pope Benedict XVI arrives at the Santa Sabina Basilica for the Ash Wednesday service on March 9, 2011 in Rome, Italy. Ash Wednesday opens the liturgical 40-day period of Lent, a period of prayer, fasting, penitence and alms giving leading up to Easter.
Huge waves hit the promenade at Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, England late Monday afternoon, March 11, 2024, with some people braving a walk along the seafront. (Photo by Ian Sproat/Picture Exclusive)
Customers crowd around a vibrant mango market in Bangladesh in the second decade of May 2024. Farmers transport the tropical fruit by bicycle, with each cyclist carrying about 200kg. (Photo by Bipul Ahmed/Solent News)
A woman and child look on at volcanic ash rising into the air during the eruption of Mount Ibu, as seen from Duono Village in West Halmahera, North Maluku province, on January 15, 2025. (Photo by AZZAM via AFP Photo)
Sand from Montrose Beach whips past Vincent Lagrone as he walks along the lakefront October 19, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. A high wind warning was issued for the city as winds between 40 and 45 mph are expected to cause 20- to 25-foot waves along sections of the lakefront. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
A British Army Rolls Royce armoured car outside the Royal Ulster Constabulary police station on York Street in Belfast following riots after an Orange Order parade. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 20th June 1935