Project Gutenberg 2004-06-24 Public domain in the USA. 131 Twain, Mark 1835 1910 Clemens, Samuel Langhorne Twain, Mark (Samuel Clemens) Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World. Part 6 Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Following_the_Equator Produced by David Widger "Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World. Part 6" by Mark Twain is a travel narrative composed in the late 19th century. This work continues Twain's insightful and humorous observation of various cultures and peoples as he circumnavigates the globe, focusing particularly on India in this portion. The text explores the rich tapestry of religious practices and superstitions in the city of Benares, delving into rituals at the Ganges, intricate temple descriptions, and the stark contrasts between belief and the sometimes grotesque aspects of daily life. At the start of this segment, Twain presents a satirical itinerary for pilgrims in Benares, detailing numerous religious practices that reflect the intertwining of spirituality and superstition in Hindu culture. He humorously outlines steps for purification, securing material prosperity, and even obtaining longevity through peculiar actions like bathing in sewage. Through vivid descriptions, Twain illuminates the paradoxes of faith and rituals, often casting a critical yet affectionate eye on the peculiarities he encounters. As he details his observations and interactions—from witnessing cremations to meeting a revered guru—Twain captures the essence of a vibrant, complex society steeped in rich traditions, leaving readers intrigued by the wonders and contradictions of India. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 75.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. en Voyages around the world Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 -- Travel Equator -- Description and travel G Text Category: Humour Category: Travel Writing 228010 2025-07-03T05:30:15.366053 text/html 212211 2020-12-29T04:41:38 text/html 1623055 2025-07-03T05:30:19.422136 application/epub+zip 1621795 2025-07-03T05:30:16.141132 application/epub+zip 139426 2025-07-03T05:30:15.704061 application/epub+zip 1688134 2025-07-03T05:30:22.149066 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 1660141 2025-07-03T05:30:18.788118 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 185528 2022-09-03T08:58:00.010182 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 197914 2025-07-03T05:30:14.954085 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 197732 2020-12-29T04:41:38 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 19128 2025-07-03T05:30:22.282063 application/rdf+xml 12193 2025-07-03T05:30:15.813149 image/jpeg 2025 2025-07-03T05:30:15.758092 image/jpeg 1581790 2020-12-29T04:41:38 application/octet-stream application/zip 76862 2020-12-29T04:41:38 application/octet-stream application/zip 1603551 2025-07-03T05:30:15.475095 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia