Waiting to die

Waiting to die

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Munna Kuvar, 105, lies on a bed receiving comfort from her relatives as she waits to die in Varanasi, widely considered Hinduism's holiest city.

Hindus believe that dying here and having their ashes scattered in the Ganges allows their soul to escape a cycle of death and rebirth, attaining "moksha" or salvation. For this reason, many journey to the city to spend their final days there.

. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Reuters photographer Danish Siddiqui documented “Mukti Bhavan” or “Salvation House,” a charity-run hostel for people who wish to die in Varanasi.

It has 12 rooms, a temple and small quarters for its priests. Guests can normally stay up to two weeks after which, if they haven’t yet passed away, they are gently asked to leave.

. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Bhairav Nath Shukla, (left), is the hostel manager.

The 61-year-old has been taking in the dying and performing prayers for their salvation for over four decades. More than 14,500 people have checked in to date.

. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Eighty-two-year-old Kishore Pandey travelled with his three daughters from a small village in eastern India to die at Mukti Bhavan.

Traditionally in Hinduism sons perform the last rites for their parents but Pandey’s daughters were there for him instead.

The eldest, Usha Tiwari, explained: "We had no brother but we didn't want our father to feel that he has no son."

. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Ninety-seven-year-old Bhogla Devi also came to the hostel accompanied by her 30-year-old grandson Divyesh Tiwari.

“My grandmother is the most precious thing I ever had. I would like her to attain salvation in my arms," said Tiwari.

. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Champa Devi, 88 years old, also came to Mukti Bhavan to die and passed away at the hostel on June 21.

In the image above her daughter lies next to her minutes after her death.

. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

After dying at Varanasi, many are cremated at this holy site next to the River Ganges.

Families can have their pictures taken with the deceased; many want to preserve memories of their loved ones being cremated at this sacred place.

. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

In the image above, 105-year-old Munna Kuvar lies on a bed inside Mukti Bhavan.

Her husband died in this hostel about 18 years ago and according to her 45-year-old nephew Surender Upadhyay, it was Kuvar’s wish to die in the same place.

"We all have left our work and come here with her so that she can attain a peaceful death,” he said.

Kuvar died shortly after Danish Siddiqui finished shooting this photo story.

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Slideshow

Relatives of patrons listen to priests as they chant during evening prayers at Mukti Bhavan.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Relatives of patrons listen to priests as they chant during evening prayers at Mukti Bhavan.

Kishore Pandey, 82, lies on a bed at the hostel as his daughter Usha Tiwari feeds him.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Kishore Pandey, 82, lies on a bed at the hostel as his daughter Usha Tiwari feeds him.

Pandey’s daughter, 38-year-old Neelam Tiwari, peels lychees for her father.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Pandey’s daughter, 38-year-old Neelam Tiwari, peels lychees for her father.

Bhairav Nath Shukla (left), the manager of Mukti Bhavan, sits during morning prayers as a priest walks past his office.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Bhairav Nath Shukla (left), the manager of Mukti Bhavan, sits during morning prayers as a priest walks past his office.

Hindu priests rest in their room.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Hindu priests rest in their room.

Savitri, an 80-year-old widow, poses for a photograph inside her room at Mumukshu Bhavan (Home of the Ailing).
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Savitri, an 80-year-old widow, poses for a photograph inside her room at Mumukshu Bhavan (Home of the Ailing).

Relatives of Munna Kuvar, 105, sit inside her room at Mukti Bhavan.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Relatives of Munna Kuvar, 105, sit inside her room at Mukti Bhavan.

Children of hostel employees play cricket inside the premises.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Children of hostel employees play cricket inside the premises.

Hostel manager Bhairav Nath Shukla scans through records inside his office.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Hostel manager Bhairav Nath Shukla scans through records inside his office.

A book of records lies open on the desk.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A book of records lies open on the desk.

A priest at the hostel lights a lamp as another blows a conch shell during evening prayers.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A priest at the hostel lights a lamp as another blows a conch shell during evening prayers.

A priest rings a bell as he prays.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A priest rings a bell as he prays.

A man plays the harmonium as others chant during prayers.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A man plays the harmonium as others chant during prayers.

A priest rests on the ground.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A priest rests on the ground.

The relative of a patron walks out of Mukti Bhavan.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

The relative of a patron walks out of Mukti Bhavan.

A family member sits next to 88-year-old Champa Devi’s body, minutes after her death.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A family member sits next to 88-year-old Champa Devi’s body, minutes after her death.

A body is carried to the banks of the River Ganges.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A body is carried to the banks of the River Ganges.

Relatives immerse a body in the Ganges prior to cremation.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Relatives immerse a body in the Ganges prior to cremation.

A body is left to dry before being cremated.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A body is left to dry before being cremated.

A man places wood on a relative’s funeral pyre.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A man places wood on a relative’s funeral pyre.

Pyres burn on the banks of the Ganges.
. VARANASI, INDIA. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Pyres burn on the banks of the Ganges.