One of the most pleasant experiences but also special memories, not only of my trip to India, but all the trips I made (and there are a few), it was this boat ride on the Ganges.
After attending astonished to cremation over burial mounds on the banks of the river, we did a tour of the Ganges by boat. Needless to say, having seen how laid the remains of those who were burned to the water, strolling through there was not very attractive at this time. Moreover, such was the number of cremations that were pending in some cases, even came to be incinerated at all when they were thrown into the water, just above where the Indians performed their holy bath daily.
That was almost nightmarish see how the banks, at the foot of the ghats, which are a kind of steps that can be accessed by foot to the river, piled up what fell from the high mound, the Indians used soap for bathing spot, and cows also approached to take off the heat in the water, you left the body cut.
Once in the boat and by the middle of that river water quite opaque and brown, all we against each other so that we do not even splashed water. It may not sound very respectful when it comes to the sacred waters in that religion. Also on my trip to India, I had to adapt to many situations difficulties of cleanliness or cleaning, go barefoot in places many do not lurk, etc. but that was beyond my strength.
Perhaps it was my respect to the beyond, but this time seeing how they passed pieces (not exaggerating) scorched around us, floating in the water made me the creeps. So that experience was so desirable me, because it is the least I could understand those people.
No matter how sacred they are, the waters of the Ganges are recognized as the world's most polluted waters, and there are bathing them, including animals and debris.
Admittedly, however, is an experience rich in sensations, because they are such amazing things that only in India can be seen? But still, the mind is so focused on avoiding the water sometimes spend curious details, such as the boats that come to sell typical items or see the sunrise in Varanasi.
You may think that I recommend doing, but if you go to Varanasi is because you know you have to go through that, and just walk along the Ganges is the most typical experience of this city.