The Sacred Ganges. Varanasi, India.

Lives of millions of devout Hindus revolve around the sacred Ganges where they gather to pay homage to their gods and ancestors, burn the dead and partake in countless religious festivities. Not only does the river play a major part in the daily routine for those living nearby but first and foremost this is where countless festivals and rituals take place. In Indian art and Hindu religion, the Ganges is often depicted as a beautiful and voluptuous woman, and for hundreds of millions it is an object of worship, a symbol of life and motherhood upon which their spiritual well-being depends. The selection of images captures local women and pilgrims performing ritual ablutions in the sacred waters. I specifically chose to leave behind the images that would seem repulsive for Westerners' eyes - hellish traffic, dirty streets bustling with homeless children, beggars andstray dogs or charred remains of human bodies falling off the funeral pyres. Instead, I was trying to convey the intrinsic magic of the place without having to embellish or interfere, helped only by the things that were available - vivid colours of saris, river surface shimmering at dawn or softly lit riverbank stone walls and steps. I was particularly lucky to witness the rituals accompanying the ancient Vedic festival of Chhath that pays tribute to the Sun God, Surya, when pilgrims partake in a sunrise vigil. Having blended with the festive gathering for several hours, I somehow managed to become part of it and that enabled to make several clicks at a close range.