From the category archives:
Khairul Manzil Mosque
What could have been preserved as one of the finest of mosques in Delhi lies largely ignored except by the devout who come here to offer prayers. Or by young boys who like to play cops and robbers amongst its ruins (at least the author did, while he was staying in Kaka Nagar in late 1970s / early 1980s across the road).
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Three women off for prayer on Shivratri in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Red Masked Dancer with Mask Lifted on Shivratri in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Nepal
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By Prashanth Vishwanathan
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Meandering in the streets of Haridwar this February, I had this wonderful series of pictures of holy men in various stages of nudity, embracing technology and modern habits, yet holding on to their ritualistic practices. This picture was photographed hanging on to a fire truck, when the horders of ‘Shiva’s Army’ returned from the Shahi Snan or royal bath in Haridwar during thr Maha Kumbh 2010. Continue reading if you want to order this print
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Ceiling at entrance of Buddha Temple in Patan, Kathmandu, Nepal
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A goat grazes besides the Taj mahal at Agra July 13, 2007.
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Right folks, before you get excited seeing the headline, I don’t think the belly dancer here is looking to date any of her audience. But if you are in Istanbul, you must go to the Hodjapasha Culture Center in the Old City (the Sultanahmet area) and watch her perform. She is an admirable performer, and so are the many others who keep you entertained for an hour at the Turkish Dance Night. [continue reading…]
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A Sadhu smoking Marijuana on Shivratri at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
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I was lucky to be at the famous Shivaratri at the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal. I wrote a post on it too, click here to read it.
As is the case with every Hindu festival, one gets hordes of ‘holy men’ to attend these. It was no different this time too. Including the one above, smoking marijuana. Here is an extract from the above mentioned post:
Adding colour to all this, as is common at all major Hindu congregations, was the presence of ‘holy men and women.’ They come from all over to offer their own brand of homage to the Gods. While some truly come for the faith they believe in, many seem to be just ‘frauds.’ Their job seems to be entertain the crowd with their antics, often dressing in revealing outfits, indulging in vulgar acts, spewing abusive language, drinking, getting high on drugs and collecting money from passers-by. Including from photographers like me. They even sell marijuana sticks for Rs. 10 each as a ‘prasad’ or offering to Lord Shiva.
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A Monkey looking into a Halogen Light at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
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I was at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu in Nepal on the occasion of Shivaratri, one of the most important festivals for Hindus. The temple is also regarded as one of the most revered ones globally for followers of Lord Shiva. Cameras are not allowed inside the temple – and I was left with no choice but to perch myself on a neighbouring wall to get some shots. It was scary as the area is infested with monkeys and one joker in the pack could have startled me – and sent me in a free fall down. As night fell, most of them dispersed. But this one decided to stay under the spotlights, probably in the hope a photographer will get him his two minutes of fame. His wish has been granted.
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Prayer Bells in Manakamana, Nepal
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I was driving from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park in Nepal when I came upon the cable car service going to the Manakamana temple. Thousands of Hindus had queued up to take this ride, but I managed to get permission to jump ahead as I was a on ‘journalistic mission.’ (every job has some perks). The sights were simply breathtaking as we ascended; the image will give you some idea. Will post more later. And these bells were a part of the temple.
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Blind woman rowing a Shikara in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir
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I had driven to Kashmir during April (a great time to be there) and could but help falling in love with the Dal Lake in Srinagar. I went on multiple Shikara (local boats as seen in this image) rides at all times of the day. In this case, I was out visiting the floating vegetable market at the crack of dawn and had stopped for tea at one of the floating shops in the lake. And then I saw this old woman rowing towards me – as she got closer I realised she was nearly blind. And then the shot happened as she crossed me: a perfect play of light with colourful reflections of house boats in the background. Few shots have given me as much professional satisfaction as this.
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3-year old Tiger Cub waiting for lunch at Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
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I spotted this tiger cub cooling off in a pool in the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan, India. It was a hot summer day, with temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius. The cub, though looking fully grown-up, has yet to learn how to hunt. My guide was not sure of its gender, but he/she has a subling. Both the sibling and the mother were away somewhere, and this cub was waiting for them to come back with some food probably. I waited a few hours myself hoping to see the family together but it was not to be.
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Blue Walls and Green Windows in Tansen, Nepal
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I took this image when driving around the beautiful town of Tansen in Nepal. The village I took this in had just a few houses on the main highway itself – and this wall stood out for its colours. When I enquired what these wooden logs were for, some teenage girls tried to explain their use for storing or processing honey. But due to language barriers, I could not really understand.
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A photo feature by Prashanth Vishwanathan
I am just back from a visit to Hyderabad, the capital of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. I wanted to write something poetic myself, so smitten was I by the city’s mystic charms at night. But then I came upon this poetic verse by Sarojini Naidu – more apt to put that here. So here goes: [continue reading…]
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Frescos and Blue Doors in Shekhawati, Rajasthan
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This is the wall of one of the many havelis (houses) in Nawalgarh in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. I was actually on the roof of an adjoining haveli when I saw this sight – and it immediately struck me as an image waiting to be captured.
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Brown Wall of House in Village near Tansen in Nepal
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I took this image while driving around the town of Tansen in Nepal in 2010. This house was in one of the many unmarked villages in the region, and stood out for its colours and absolutely clean surroundings. With the light falling almost perfectly on it, and the way the utensils were out to dry with a broom lying nearby, this shot was waiting to be taken. Continue reading if you want to order this print
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A Kite Shop in Mandawa in Shekhawati, Rajasthan
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I took this image in the town of Mandawa in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan in India. I had reached the town late afternoon on a cold, January day – and ventured out to the market after evening tea. This shop was illuminated as you see after sunset – and most of the light on the street was from the shops themselves. It was a shot waiting to be taken. Continue reading if you want to order this print
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Photo Feature by Prashanth Vishwanathan
The havelis of Shekhawati in Rajasthan are profusely painted with frescoes depicting gods and kings, flowers and arabesques and scenes from everyday life. The technique of Fresco painting in Shekawati was very close to the Italian Fresco technique developed around the 14th century. The havelis were owned by the rich traders of Marwar who have moved on to bigger cities and left their ancestoral homes abandoned. [continue reading…]
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Photo Feature by Prashanth Vishwanathan
Self visualization is the goal, the camera is just a medium. Of the various travels I have undertaken in my short sojourn as a visual artist, I particularly recall my tryst with the monument of love. [continue reading…]
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Young girls serving tea during the Christmas Carnival in Kohima in Nagaland
These photos were taken in Kohima in Nagaland in December 2009 during the Hornbill Festival. Every evening, the main market would close and the streets given out to those who set up stalls to sell food, gifts and more. These included youngsters out to make pocket money, business, NGOs and some church bodies. All in all, great fun to walk around interacting with the locals.
Click on any image for a bigger view. You can also go to Facebook or Flickr to see the complete set. [continue reading…]
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