In Hindu culture, what is the final pilgrimage destination for those wishing to die?

In Hindu culture, the final pilgrimage destination for those wishing to die is Varanasi, a city that holds immense spiritual significance. Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is revered as a sacred place where individuals believe they can attain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. This belief is tied to the idea that dying in Varanasi and having one's ashes scattered in the Ganges River allows the soul to escape the cycle of rebirth and achieve ultimate peace.

While the Ganges River is certainly important and is often associated with rituals, including those pertaining to death and purification, the pilgrimage focus specifically aligns with the city of Varanasi itself, where many come to die or to perform the final rites for loved ones. Mount Everest, despite being a significant spiritual site in some traditions, does not hold this same connotation in Hindu practice, and Benares is simply another name for Varanasi, thus reinforcing that Varanasi is indeed the correct response in this context.