Varanasi, the ancient city where life and death intertwine, called me to its sacred ghats. Grieving the loss of my mother, I embarked on a last-minute journey to India, drawn by a vision of a candle on the Ganga. There, amidst the vibrant chaos, I honored her with a ceremony by the river, where the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra echoed, invoking healing and liberation. The chants, the flames of the Ganga Aarti, and the mark of Shiva on my forehead awakened a profound connection to something greater. Varanasi’s raw energy taught me to embrace transformation and find peace in letting go. This is the story of my unexpected spiritual pilgrimage.