Small island cays west of Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas photographed from the International Space Station

Small island cays west of Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas photographed from the International Space Station

In North India, the city of Varanasi sits right on—nearly on top of—the Ganges river. Varanasi is the holiest of the seven sacred cities for Hindus and Jains. You might want to know that a small village near Varanasi is said to be where Buddha gave his first sermon, outlining the tenets of Buddhism. The Ganges plays a big role in all three faiths, with millions of Hindus bathing in the river’s water as an act of spiritual purification.