Prayers at Sunrise II Photo

Photographer’s Note

Second post in a small series of people praying and participating in the purification ritual in the holy water of the Ganges river, Varanasi.

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As you walk through Varanasi before dawn, the banks of the Ganges are still blanketed in fog.
An early crowd of devotees already faces the morning chill and slowly prepares for their purification rituals in the holy water. Before they enter the river, they are already submerged in a state of meditation that makes them numb for the sensation of the cold water.

The serenity and devotion in their rituals veils you in a state of pure calmness as well as disbelief.
You somehow become part of the religious ceremonies you witness; there simply is no other way.
The air is pregnant with spirituality and you can only breath it in.

As the sun rises, you feel grateful for another day and contribute with your own prayers at sunrise.

everlasting, Jeppo, jasmis, Floydian, luisafonso, KevRyan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

devimeuxbe (56398) 2007-12-18 1:25

Bonjour Sabine
Il y a beaucoup de force et d'émotion dans cette très belle et très touchante scène.
J'aime beaucoup
Amicalement
Bertrand

everlasting (10942) 2007-12-18 1:34

Nicely framed Sabine, a great moment frozen together with the water droplets.

jasmis (51029) 2007-12-18 2:34

Superb dynamic exotic portrait. Impressive photo.
Regards.

Jeppo (12142) 2007-12-18 3:22

A very fascinating image...good timing to capture this lady right in the purification moment.
I like it very much...

TFS
Silvio

Floydian (30970) 2007-12-18 3:39

Dag Sabine,
Mooi hoe dat water als glazen laag over haar gezicht ligt en de druppels overal mooi zijn bevroren door een snelle sluitertijd.
Compositie zit mooi strak in het kader en hoe ze haar handen boven op haar hoofd heeft is werkelijk schitterend...heel erg mooi.
Groetjes, Henk

delkoo (34810) 2007-12-18 6:38

this one is also very interesting, the water effect is really well done with a good light as well.

cheers
didier

Maclaude (84) 2007-12-18 8:33

Bonne photo !
Mais elle me fait penser aux paprazi ... Comme un manque de pudeur.

Good photo!
But it reminds me paparazi... As a lack of modesty.

luisafonso (858) 2007-12-18 8:38

A purifying capture dear Sabine. Just like the running water you captured so well. What can I say without sounding repetitive...? Great light you captured over your subject and perfect moment for pressing that shutter button. A very sensitive moment.

KevRyan (22422) 2007-12-20 23:49

Ignore the paparrazzi comment - you are a photographer of people - there is no privacy issue - this is in public view in a very public country and your image has all the dignity of someone in a devotional act - your moment is so well taken - a beautiful intimate shot fro this special place.

best wishes Kev