As kites can fly
And like the spires
Of Hindu Ghats
The wood of Kashi
On Ganga banks
To build the pyres
For funeral blaze
Lit from embers
Of Shiva’s fire
Burns every hour
Of every day
Four thousand years
And still today
Manikarnika Ghat
On the banks of the Ganga (Ganges River)
Kashi (Old Varanasi)
Uttar Pradesh, India
Taken during travels, 2017
In about 3 hours, the burning ends, but the body has typically not been completely converted to ash, and some small part is ceremoniously offered to the Ganges, to complete the purification of the body.
Between these two Ghats, up to 300 funerals are held everyday. Adequately cremating a human body requires bout 150 kilos (300lbs) of wood. That’s a lot of wood. Up to 45,000 kilos (10,000lbs, 5 tons) every day. So wood is stockpiled in enormous stacks all around the Ghats.
And, it’s expensive. Up to 380 rupee per kilo. A bit under $7 Canadian. About $5.50 US. So a funeral can cost as much as 57,000 rupee. That is serious coin here.
There are a number of sources online going into more detail, if you’re interested. This one seems as accurate as any. And this one features photographs, which can only be taken with express permission.