In November I plan to co-lead a photographic trip to India. One of the cities we’ll be visiting is Varanasi. On this portion of the trip we’ll delve into a cultural documentary style. What follows are photographs made last year during a few days in Varanasi.
These first two photographs were made during the evening as the town began to wind down from the day.
- Night Scene, Varanasi
Varanasi Alleyway
The next images show a young woman who studies at Benares Hindu University making an offering to a god at Assi Ghat, near the Ganges River.
Offering
Offering, detail
The next several photos were made while taking in daily life along the ghats. The ghats are broad steps that lead down to the Ganges River. Due to the Deepavali Festival that was happening at the time there were more pilgrims than on a normal day.
Hindu pilgrims bathe in the Ganges
Life along the ghats
Washerwoman
Sadhu, a Hindu holy man
A show of respect
Deepavali is a Hindu festival. During this time rows of lights/lamps are lit. The festival is celebrated on the occasion of Krishna and his wife Satyambhama killing the demon Narakasura.
- Lighting lamps for Deepavali
Lamp lighting
Earthen lamps
The Ram Lila, which re-enacts the Hindu epic the Ramayana, is typically presented over a 10 day period in the fall.
preparations
A young boy named Rohit backstage
boys as gods
A dog lies in the shadows
A young boy, Rohit, plays the part of a woman
A man plays a harmonium as part of the performance
Rohit walks home after the performance and after working all day along the ghats
Interested in joining us this November in India? November is an excellent month to visit as the weather is becoming cooler and drier. We’ll be there during Diwali, which represents the Hindu New Year. Candles are lit and fireworks abound. We can certainly promise to present you with some amazing photographic opportunities. For more information write me at nomadruss@hotmail.com
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Enjoyed looking at these photo’s – I’ve yet to visit Varanasi!
there’s nothing quite like sitting along the banks of the ganges drinking chai…
gorgeous picks. I really feel like I was there. The woman holding the candle and the colorful people spilling out on the ghat were incredible. Well done!
thanks you two!
Reblogged this on Todd White Photography and commented:
Great photos and article from a friend. Making me miss India more…
Extremely expressive photos!
thanks!
Stunning photos. Really bring Varanasi alive. Varanasi is a complete sensory overload! People going on your trip will enjoy themselves for sure…all those photo opportunities (try to get to the Observatory. Smaller than the one in Jaipur but still good) Being there over Diwali will be a fantastic experience…I was lucky enough to be in Amritsar during Diwali a couple of years ago and that was a definate highlight of my trip!
Thanks for the encouragement and hope you’ll spread the word, we still have spaces available!
Wonderful photographs. Brought back so many memories. I visited Varanasi many years ago and it had significant impact on me. Your photos capture some of its essence. Thank you for sharing.
Appreciate the encouraging words…
I could almost feel it all the crowd, the water, the heat, the beauty. Thanks.
appreciate the kind words!
loved the boys as Gods pic – nice touch of yellow!
thanks amirta!
Hindistan’daki sınıflar arasındaki farkı 14. ve 15.ci fotoğraflar gösteriyor. !4. fotoğrafta genç mütevazi mutluluğuyla dikkat çekerken, sonrasındaki fotoğraf bir uçuruma işaret ediyor.
Amazing pics! i have a friend there, it is such a different world!
thanks! it is indeed a very different world…