Abstract:

"An Indian Pilgrimage: Kashi follows two Telugu-speaking brahmans and their wives who come from South India to the sacred city of Kashi (Banaras, Varanasi) on the Ganges river to perform classical rites of feeding balls of rice to their ancestors. They are instructed in the correct performance of these rites by a brahman Telugu-speaking priest who depends for his livelihood on providing services to pilgrims such as these. The pilgrims supplement their orthodox ritual activities with shopping in the bazaars, bathing at five special points along the Ganges, and visiting Kashi's tourist attractions. They explain in their own words their reasons for making the pilgrimage and their pleasure at having finally seen Kashi."