"A 'god shop' where idols of Hindu gods are made and sold to the public." A boy sits next to rows of idols and holds one idol with wings in his lap. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"A group of Brahmans who get their living by going about begging from the people." Six men and boys pose for the camera. They are all wearing rags. Some sit and some stand. One of them has white stripes painted on his body. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"A corpse ready to be cremated. It is laid on a pile of dried cow manure which is sometimes used as the fuel." A corpse with a white cloth over all but the head is laid on a pile of cow manure. There are people of all ages standing around the body. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"A coolie girl with her basket picking tea leaves." A girl stands next to a bush with a basket. She has been picking the leaves of the bush for tea. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"A Hindu trying to earn merit by burying his head in the ground. The other man is his companion who calls out to passers-by." A man lies face-down with his head buried in the sand and one knee bent with that foot in the air. His companion sits cross-legged beside him, calling out to people passing by. There are two piles of sticks near them. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"A Hindu "holy" man reading a Gospel. Because of the influence these men have over the Hindus, when they become Christians they do a great deal of good." A man with long hair that is tied up in a bun on his head reads the Bible while sitting on the ground in front of a tent. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"This boy is lying on a bed of spikes believing that if he does this for a number of years he will gain merit and earn salvation." A boy lies on a bed of spikes with his head propped up on a wooden board. His knees are bent so that his feet are flat on the spikes. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"A boy worshipping the tulsi plant which is considered to be very "sacred" by all Hindus." A boy with only a simple rag clothing him worships a plant that is on top of a stone pedestal. His hands are clasped as if in prayer. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"This old Hindu took a vow that he would never again lie down. He has to sleep with ropes tied under his arms in order to keep from falling down." An elderly man with a long, bedraggled beard, holds a set of beads in his hands while he is being held upright by ropes around his arms. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
"To earn religious merit one of these men has his head buried in the earth. His cmpanion attracts attention to shi act and counts his prayer beads." One man is lying on the ground with his head buried and his hands counting prayer beads. Another man gestures to the first man. This photograph is from an album prepared by W. K. Norton of The Pilgrims Mission, Benares [Vārānasi].
