Homeless Bird

The next morning Hari, his parents, and Koly begin their trip. Koly notices many sick passengers on the train, heading to Varanasi for the same purpose, as well as many urns being taken there so that the ashes can be scattered over the Ganges River. In Varanasi, known as the “city of fifteen thousand shrines” (44), they stay at the home of a family friend. Hari is too weak to go to the river that day, so they let him rest and go the next morning. People crowd the city streets, making the same pilgrimage to the Golden Temple of Vishvanath. Although the river is sacred to most of India’s citizens, children play in it, women wash clothes in it, and barbers cut hair along its banks. Koly observes Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in the crowds, illustrating the religious diversity of India’s large cities.

The river’s water seemingly renews Hari’s strength at first, but the effect doesn’t last long. By the time they leave, he’s shivering and feverish. A doctor comes to assess him. He says Hari is gravely ill and nothing can be done. Hari dies that night. When Sassur announces this to Koly, he tells her it was unfair for them to let her marry Hari but says they only wanted him to get well.