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    Photos from India

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    A sacred diya floats past our boat. Varanasi is one of the most important places in the worship of Diwali because it is located where the Ganga turns north (flows backwards in Hindu tradition). Candles and lights are put out to welcome the Gods out of the darkness. It was near to impossible to capture this shot because we were on a powerboat zooming past, but I was extremely happy to get this picture because it is such a critical part of the celebration. The diyas represent parts of sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life. Views[435] Along the Ganges a joyous crowd came together to set off fireworks. The whole festival reminded me of a giant party from the time of sunrise to well past 3am the next morning. I was told feuds are set aside and enemies hug on this day to honor the return of the god Rama. There were quite literally hundreds of thousands of people along the banks of the Ganges. This photo was taken from a boat capturing the festivities along the ghats (the steps leading down to the Ganges). A candle, light, of person, filled every inch of space for miles. Views[429] Because Diwali is celebrated on the new moon the sky is eerily dark compared to the rest of the lit up city. Each family decorates their homes from top to bottom in string lights and candles, accompanied by fireworks and music. I have never been around so much noise and light at the same time. The air is heavy with the smell of smoke and fire, so much so that in the morning I could not see from my house to the temple across the street. The sounds of gleeful shouting and REALLY loud fireworks from over 1 million people were incredible. Views[374] Like Christmas in the United States, Diwali has become a highly capitalized on holiday. In this photo I like the juxtaposition of the shadows from the rising sun onto a newspaper selling “Hot Diwali Deals” as we created the Rangoli. In my mind this was a metaphor of the old traditions winning out as my mom used the newspaper to pick up the excess sand she spilled, paying no attention to what it was selling. Views[333] I chose to study abroad in Varanasi, India for several reasons. It is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest pilgrimage site in Hinduism. Before coming I knew I would get to partake in Diwali…the festival of color and lights. This is a picture of my host father and sister creating a Rangoli for the festival. Diwali is the celebration of Rama's coming, and signifies the victory of light over darkness. It is celebrated by the marriage of Ganesh-ji and Lakshmi. The Rangoli is a sand drawing created as a sacred welcoming for Lakshmi to enter the home and bless all inside. While the festival preparations extend over a period of five days, the main celebration coincides with the new moon (literally light vs. the dark). I was fortunate enough to celebrate this day with my host family because while so much of the visual beauty is outside, the sacred rituals are done in the home. Watching the older generation pass ancient traditions on to the new generation was something to behold. Views[400]
     

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