Varanasi was as crazy, chaotic, congested, crowded, fascinating and impressive to experience as expected. It holds such contrasts of beauty and less than desirable cleanliness, all amidst such a holy and spiritual place.
One morning we rose early to catch the sunrise by boat on the Ganges. The same day we did a three hour walking tour through both the Muslim and Hindu areas of the city and then, of course, it led us to the ghats by the river. In the evening we witnessed the daily evening puja by the water.
We enjoyed having experienced all that Varanasi has to offer and at the same time were pleased to move on by the end of our stay, to a more quiet part of the country.
Before sunrise on the Ganges
Along the ghats
Our lights on the Ganges
Fishermen
Swimming in the Ganges
My assumption is that the boy in the water has an empty plastic container tied to him for buoyancy because he doesn’t know how to swim.
Early morning in the narrow passages of Varanasi
Varanasi is known for its silk weaving industry
Varanasi is known for its silk weaving industry
Along the ghats
Lassi being prepared at the famous Blue Lassi Shop
Before the evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
Before the evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
Before the evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
Before the evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
Before the evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
Evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
Evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
Evening ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat
You are such an excellent photographer, Julia. Your eye to capture the moment is outstanding. The way you captured the smoke in the evening ceremony is impressive and I was totally immersed in your Ganges photos (pun intended) - numbers 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10 are National Geographic material.
Thank you Greg, but I really do feel like a beginner. The one thing I always struggle with is getting things (and the right ones) on focus. I know all the theory but still find it quite hard in practice with moving pieces and find myself using the camera’s preset modes too often for my liking. But I do enjoy the process of photography and composing a shot very much, which is the most important thing!