I visited a Hindu priest school in Varanasi. Everyday before sunrise the young priests convene on the ghat steps in front of the school for a session of yoga and morning prayer by the holy river Ganges.
They are taught Hindu scriptures and the ancient language, Sanskrit. Its images like these that make me feel that we have still managed to hold on to our ancient roots in this age of digital media and easy lifestyles. And its onto these young men to pass on the baton of tradition.
Gulls flocking above the holy waters of the Ganges river in the holy city of Varanasi, forming a hemisphere.
A man bathing in the frigid holy waters of the river Ganges in a misty winter morning.
I met this young Hindu priest in a school in Varanasi. Everyday before sunrise they convene on the ghat steps in front of the school for a session of yoga and morning prayer by the holy river Ganges.
Boats are waiting on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi as the first light of the day shines on the holy waters.
A young Hindu priest catching a break between classes during school.
Wrestlers in a local gym in Varanasi cooling off after a bout. Wrestling is a traditional sport in India known as "Kushti". The bout takes place in an arena of dirt on the ground.
Kite flying is a popular sport in the city. This kite has a famous Bollywood movie character on it.
During the monsoon the water level of the river Ganges rises and it engulfs the ghats in Varanasi. Local kids were having fun diving off the banks and trying out different moves and vaults in mid-air.
This little guy kept looking intently while I was taking pictures from the balcony of an ancient palace by the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi.
An old man sitting in the lanes of Varanasi.
I was wandering in the narrow lanes, or gullies, of Varanasi near the famous Vishwanath Temple when I turned a corner and came across a group of holy men clad in orange, each carrying a walking stick wrapped in the same orange cloth. Its also interesting to see the number of directions on the wall in the background, ranging from cooking classes to lassi shops and restaurants. I also loved the other person with his neatly combed hair buying flowers to worship.
Devotees queue up to visit the shrine of Kashi Vishwanath temple.
A Hindu priest inside a temple with beautiful ancient architecture with frescoed walls in Varanasi.
Muslims rest after the mid-day prayer, in one of the oldest mosques in Varanasi. Despite the fact that its one of the holiest of places for HIndus, there is a fair Muslim population in the city.
A boy minds his father's shop, selling iconic toy boats driven by steam along with stickers and posters of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Boys flying kites late into the dusk in Munshi Ghat in Varanasi. Kite flying is quite popular in many parts of India. Many states even have their own kite flying festivals too.
This man is a sadhu, a Hindu wandering monk who has renounced all worldly possessions to devote himself to a life in pursuit of spiritual liberation. It was a hand-held shot in the busy streets of Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world.
A shop keeper in the Kashi Vishwanath temple lanes selling little pots which are symbol of Lakhshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. These pots are help by brides during a HIndu wedding.
This is a scene from the evening arati ceremony on the banks of the holy river ganges in Varanasi.
This shot was taken during the evening aarti ritual at Dashashwamedh Ghat, on the banks of the river Ganges.
