The Ganges With Sue Perkins
Sue Perkins continues her epic Ganges journey in Patna, once a hub of the British opium trade, now buzzing with educational ambition. She meets aspiring female engineers, explores Bihar's farmlands, and reconnects with street kids in Kolkata. From the vibrant Hijra community to tiger patrols in the Sundarbans, Sue witnesses India's wild contrasts. Her journey ends at Saga Island, where millions gather to bathe in the sacred river at sunrise, an awe-inspiring communion with faith and nature.
In the second episode of her Ganges journey, Sue Perkins reaches Varanasi, India's spiritual heart. Amid sacred rituals and funeral pyres, she explores the city's deep connection to life, death, and the divine. From death hotels to Aghori monks, Sue uncovers powerful contrasts, where holy waters are revered yet dangerously polluted. As she delves into Hindu beliefs and modern challenges, Varanasi reveals itself as both timeless and troubled, sacred and struggling.
Sue Perkins embarks on a breathtaking 1,500 mile journey along the Ganges, from its Himalayan source to the Bay of Bengal. In this first episode, she treks to the river's sacred origin, meets wandering holy people, and reflects on personal loss. From timeless Gangotri to spiritual Rishikesh and bustling Haridwar, Sue explores how modernity and mysticism collide - revealing a vibrant, changing India where devotion, commerce, and culture intertwine.
