These scenes of Hindu reverence in northern India highlight two Hindu deities. Ganga personifies the Ganges River, which is holy water for Hindus. Sadhus bath in her blessed waters and millions of devotees revel in a daily spiritual cleansing. Krishna, revered for compassion, love and playfulness, is the focus of the Holi festival. The festival is both intensely reverent for many participants and a riot of celebratory fun, as devotees throw and rub multi-toned powders and liquids on themselves and one another.
A young priest completes the salutation to the dawn as the sun rises along the Ganga. Varanasi is also knows as Kashi, the City of Light. It is especially sacred to the god Shiva. Among the holiest of India's holy cities, Varanasi draws Hindu pilgrims by the millions. Many come to the city as their life draws to a close with the earnest wish that their ashes be scattered in the river. Varanasi, India, 2015.
Many Sadhus wear their hair in long dreadlocks as an expression of the vows they have taken dedicating themselves to the divine. Saluting the dawn through a ritual bath in the river is a key religious duty observed by many Hindus. Haridwar, India, 2016.
The powerful direct gaze of a sadhu. This one has come to one of the holiest cities on the Ganga to celebrate Kumbh Mela, the largest pilgrimage on earth, which is observed on a three year cycle in one of four riverside locations in northern India, two of them on the Ganga. The largest gatherings are roughly every twelve years at each location. Haridwar, India, 2016.
A young sadhu revels in a cleansing mountain waterfall of a Ganga tributary. For Hindus, Mother Ganga’s flow can wash away sins, as well. Rishikesh, India, 2016.
Freshly bathed in the Ganga, this sadhu has applied holy ash to his body and donned mala (prayer beads) made of rudraksha seeds. The name of these seeds means “tears of Shiva.” Haridwar, India, 2016.
A sadhu’s hand, dusted with ashes from his dhuni (sacred fire), uses a rudraksha mala to count the repetitions of a mantra. The four-armed figure on the sadhu’s ring represents the deity Vishnu. Haridwar, India, 2016.
This pilgrim has shaved his head in preparation for his bath in Mother Ganga. The powerful and swiftly moving river has been diverted here to form a somewhat protected bathing area. Nevertheless, metal fencing helps protect bathers from being swept away. Haridwar, India, 2016.
An elderly woman, supported by her companions (likely a son and daughters), celebrates the spiritual cleansing of Mother Ganga, possibly the realization of a life-long dream for her. Haridwar, India, 2016.
Within this temple dedicated to Krishna, Holi powders linger in the air, coating devotees and other surfaces. Holi is celebrated all over India, but with special passion in this area, where Krishna was born and spent his youth. Vrindavan, India, 2015.
These devotees have temple hubbub all around them and are covered in Holi powders and paints. Nevertheless, they have a spiritual focus. Vrindavan, India, 2015.
A devout Holi celebrant awaits entrance into a temple dedicated to Krishna. Vrindavan, India, 2015.
Though coated with powder and daubed with paint, these Holi celebrants have found pensive reverence. Vrindavan, India, 2015.
A mother watches fondly as her child’s forehead is stenciled with “Radha, Radha,” a tribute to Krishna’s love partner Radha, a widely-revered Hindu deity in her own right. They are participating in a local pre-Holi festival called Lathmar Holi. Barsana, India, 2018.
Devotees celebrate Lathmar Holi in the home town of Radha, Krishna’s beloved. Barsana, India, 2018.
The pedestal holds a small metal sculpture of a cow and calf, which are sacred for Hindus. In this extended exposure, Holi celebrants are paying respect and touching the pedestal for a blessing. Vrindavan, 2015.