The series portrays two different aspects of the pilgrimage to die in India's holiest city - Varanasi, (Benares or Kashi as it is also known). Some devout Hindu pilgrims travel to Varanasi to obtain moksha or spiritual release from the process of reincarnation.

 

Historically, this journey for spiritual release was undertaken by pilgrims and their families either moving to the city to retire, or travelling to Varanasi and waiting on the banks of the river Ganges to die.

 

These days, some pilgrims retire to Varanasi and take up long term residence at somewhere such as the Kashi Mumukshu Bhavan. Here they may rent a room and live out their days as they await death and spiritual release.

 

As an alternative to this version of obtaining moksha, some pilgrims near the end of their lives stay at places such as the Kashi Labh Muktibhavan, often referred to as a dying house or mansion of liberation. Here the pilgrims and their families are given a simple room for a few days or weeks until they die and are then cremated on the banks of the Ganges.