As I reflect on the many ways death is approached across the world, I often find myself thinking about where, if I could choose, I would like to die. In a place like Varanasi, the end of life isn’t just about physical passing, it’s a deeply spiritual journey. For those who come here, the city offers not just a place to die, but a place to prepare for liberation from the cycle of samsara. With its sacred river and its age-old practices, Varanasi is a unique destination for those seeking moksha, the ultimate freedom from death and rebirth.

Moksha Ashrams and Death Hotels: The Final Journey

Varanasi, often considered the holiest city in India, has long been a destination for those seeking spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. As the Ganges River flows through the city, its waters are believed to purify and cleanse not only the body but the soul as well. This belief draws many elderly, terminally ill, and spiritually devout individuals to Varanasi to spend their final days here, hoping to die in the city and attain moksha.

At Moksha Ashrams and Death Hotels, such as the well-known Mukti Bhavan, the dying are welcomed into a space that is specifically designed to cater to those seeking liberation in their final moments. These ashrams are simple yet spiritually profound places where the focus is not on medical care but on spiritual reflection and preparation for death.

Mukti Bhavan, for example, has a unique process for receiving residents. The guest must have a desire to pass away in Varanasi and must be prepared to leave their physical attachments behind. These ashrams have limited rooms, and the residents must receive permission to stay. The belief is that a soul that dies in Varanasi and is cremated on the banks of the Ganges will reach moksha and break free from the endless cycle of rebirth.

However, I learned that if someone does not pass away during their stay in a death hotel, they are sent back home. The prospect of returning home without achieving their goal of dying in Varanasi is a fear for many residents. The pressure to die while in Varanasi is strong, some individuals even come to the city in the final stages of their illness with the hope of dying near the sacred river, but the fear of being sent home without passing away looms over them. This added tension only reinforces the sacredness of the space, they are here to die, and to do so near the Ganges is to ensure spiritual liberation.

The ultimate goal of staying in these spaces is to die with peace of mind, free of worldly attachments, and to attain liberation. Family members may visit occasionally, but the spiritual focus is always the top priority.

Spiritual Preparation for Death

In these ashrams and death hotels, spiritual practices are central to the experience of dying. It’s not just about the physical act of death, it’s about preparing the soul for what lies beyond. The spiritual preparation includes a range of rituals, prayers, and contemplative practices designed to help the individual detach from the material world and embrace their spiritual journey.

One of the key practices in these spaces is chanting mantras, often the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, considered to be one of the most powerful prayers for the dying. This mantra is believed to invoke Lord Shiva’s protection and ensure a peaceful passing. Meditative practices are also essential, with residents spending their days reflecting on their life, their spiritual path, and the nature of existence. This is seen as a way to ensure that the soul is ready for its transition and that no fear or attachment clouds the moment of death.

In addition to the daily chanting and meditation, residents often engage in pujas (rituals and offerings) to various deities, with the hope that they will guide the soul to liberation. Making offerings to gods and ancestors is a way to honour the soul's journey, ensuring that it moves toward moksha. For some, the time spent in Varanasi is their final opportunity for spiritual reflection, and it is treated with the utmost reverence.

Family members may also participate in the spiritual process, assisting with rituals, offering prayers, and sharing moments of reflection. While death is the ultimate goal of the journey, the time spent in Varanasi is seen as a period of profound personal transformation, both for the dying and for their loved ones.

A Sacred Space for Departing Souls

The concept of a death hotel is unique to Varanasi and reflects the city’s deeply spiritual nature. These spaces are humble but sacred, offering a place for the dying to rest, reflect, and prepare for their final journey. Unlike typical hospices, these spaces are specifically designed for the purpose of preparing the soul for liberation. The rooms are simple, often with little more than a bed and a small altar, where the dying can pray and make offerings.

The death hotels are not just places of physical care, they are also spiritual sanctuaries. Residents are immersed in a constant flow of prayers, mantras, and rituals, creating an environment that is suffused with sacred energy. This is done in the hope that the soul will be guided toward liberation, free from any fear, confusion, or attachment.

Death is often a solitary process in these spaces, but it is a solitary journey filled with the presence of divine energy. The dying may find solace in the companionship of others who are also seeking moksha, and the air is thick with the quiet hum of spiritual activity. In these spaces, the focus is always on the spiritual aspect of dying, on moving from this world to the next with dignity, peace, and clarity.

For many, the experience of dying in Varanasi is one of profound meaning and spiritual fulfilment. There is a deep belief that the energy of the city, combined with the rituals and prayers offered, ensures that the soul reaches its final destination, moksha, without the baggage of karmic rebirth.

Living and Dying in Varanasi

Varanasi offers a unique perspective on death. Here, life and death are not seen as opposing forces but as intertwined elements of the eternal cycle. The city’s moksha ashrams and death hotels serve as a sacred bridge between the two, offering individuals a place to die in peace, surrounded by prayers, rituals, and spiritual reflection. In Varanasi, death is not the end but the beginning of a new spiritual journey, one that is guided by the sacred waters of the Ganges and the timeless practices that have shaped this ancient city for centuries.

The experience of living and dying in Varanasi is not just about the physical act of passing away, it is about seeking a connection to the divine, the eternal, and the liberated state of moksha. In the end, Varanasi teaches that death is a sacred transition, one that can be embraced with grace, peace, and spiritual clarity.