baba ram is a 58 year old sadhu originally from bihar. left his family at age 30 to become a sadhu and now lives in varanasi
a ceremony held every evening after sunset at the dashashwamedh ghat. the ceremony is a worship to the river ganges, a river believed by hindus to be able to cleanse one’s sins and grant salvation
their main pilgrimage site is varanasi
ayojan is a 40 year old sahu who was visiting varanasi before going onto the kumbh mela festival commencing in middle january 2025. thats being held at nearby prayagraj. over 400 million people are expected over the 6 weks of the festival.
i tried to get head shots of these two but the conversation didnt go well. when they asked to have a look at my cameras my guide said it was time to go.
in reality its a tourist scam. i met the mother and her two kids at the aarti the previous evening. the next day they all came onto my hired boat, the kids put their make up on, we went to different sites and i took a load of photographs. the kids were great, their mother a lovely lady. i gave them each 1500 rupees and everyone was happy
arpita is 23 years of age and has been dancing since she was 11 .
she holds a master in dance from benares university.
she teaches dance.
some spectacle watching people……..at all times of the day and night……….men, women and children………… different stages of undress………. modern and traditional clothes… getting into the holy ganges river
all had a look of happiness and serenity on their faces ( after getting over the intial shock of the water temperature).
even for a non hindu it was an impressive and moving sight.
these people are outside one of the cremation ghats sifting through cremated ashes hoping to find some gold pieces
