for those of you further interested in the 'truth' of Varanasi, or those that had any
"what are yooou doing to fix the problem" or
"you just didnt look deep enough" or
"you are being pessimistic and its all about the loooove"

please read this -     http://memestreamblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/04/varanasi-shit-hole-of-the-gods/

this blog (and debate that ensues) covers most of the facets of the 'argument', and in a much more intelligent way than I could even attempt.