Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and one of the very few ancient cities that is still alive. Its one of India's most culturally rich cities.

Here are some of my pictures taken during my several tours. Nothing much has changed over the years I had seen the city.I got up really early and went to the ghat. To my surprise, the place had awakened much before me.

My pictures of Varanasi.

See my pictures of Varanasi in better resolution here.

Varanasi is one of my favourite places for photography. Its like an ocean.

When you go there for the first time, it will definitely look noisy and chaotic and filthy. The noise at the Gadauliya Chaurasta to the way to the Dasashwamedh Ghat (the main ghat) is deafening. The chaos is overwhelming. But, as you start absorbing the place, you will suddenly start liking the place. It is one of the oldest cities of the world that is still alive.

Its also the best place to see ancient Indian culture and shoot.

I remember my first visit to Varanasi about three decades ago. I was overwhelmed to see the place. I was just 15 but was very much interested in travelling and photography. I had a basic film camera at that time and I was very facinated to see the cameras with big lenses by the foreigners. I thought, they cameras would be awesome and could take great pictures. That is past. Later I realized that camera is needed but more important is your vision and understanding of light and composition.

Since I have been to Varanasi many times, I have a decent collection of the place which can give you an understanding of the photographic opportunities. Please go through my images and let me know if you like them.

Varanasi Ghats Pictures


Most of the action in Varansi either happens in the gallis (lanes) or in the ghats (banks of the river).
The name Varanasi is derived from two words - Varuna and Assi, the two ghats which mark the two ends of this ancient city.

When I go there, my typical routine is this -
Wake up, get ready and reach the ghats about an hour before sunrise. The activities at the ghats start early.

People come here to take bath everyday and they have been doing this since their childhood. Though I agree, that the water is very polluted now and I would not like to take a dip in this water like any other devout Hindu.
I immerse myself in the activies and document them. Its the faith that makes them believe that they will be washed off all their sins if they take a dip.

I walk around till the time the light is good, maybe around 10am, have breakfast. By about 11am, the sun has risen high enough to illuminate the narrow lanes. This is the best time for photographing in the lanes. Sometimes, you will find rays of light hitting in and makes some great pictures.

If I get tired, I go to the room to see the pictures take some rest and come back by about 3pm. Most of the days, I really don't stop. I walk almost the whole day.

Early morning is also the time to shoot the wrestlers in the akhadas or the traditional gyms. It is very interesting to observe their activities and shoot them.

Varanasi City Images

 

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi

 

Private Photography Tour to Varanasi can be arranged on demand.

MUST SEE Pictures from Dev Diwali in Varanasi - the most popular festival.

Images of Varanasi

This sadhu was painting his forehead preparing himself for his daily prayers. These sadhus believe that they have to be purified and presented well before they start praying.

Varanasi_021

Though some ghats were crowded, some were lonely. The most important and obviously the most crowded ghat in Varanasi is the Dasashwamedh Ghat. That is where the spectacular Ganga Arati happens. Ladies light up lamps and use it as a meduim to please the gods, symbolically going from darkness to light

VaranasiSel_001
VaranasiSel_003

You will see a lot of graffitis there in Varanasi. I like to wait for sometime and shoot with with some relevant subjects to make the scene interesting.

VaranasiSel_010
Most of the time, the boats in the ghats of Varanasi are very random, but sometimes, you will find them in perfect order. They make good pictures with some activity in the foreground.
VaranasiSel_011
VaranasiSel_013

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi

VaranasiSel_015
VaranasiSel_016

In the morning a lot of sadhus come to the river to take bath. With the sun rising, it makes a great picture.

VaranasiSel_017
VaranasiSel_018

India, at one time was believed as the land of snake charmers. Its no more true. In fact, you will hardly find snake charmers. It is considered illegal now and these people are being asvised to take up new professions. However, in Varanasi, you will sometimes come across these people. I took a picture of this with the crowd. I doubt that there will be any left in the next 10 years.

VaranasiSel_019
VaranasiSel_020
VaranasiSel_021
VaranasiSel_022
VaranasiSel_023

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi

VaranasiSel_025
VaranasiSel_026
VaranasiSel_027
VaranasiSel_028
VaranasiSel_029
VaranasiSel_030
VaranasiSel_031
VaranasiSel_032
VaranasiSel_033
VaranasiSel_034
VaranasiSel_035
VaranasiSel_037

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi

VaranasiSel_040
VaranasiSel_041
VaranasiSel_042
VaranasiSel_043
VaranasiSel_044
VaranasiSel_045
VaranasiSel_046
VaranasiSel_047
VaranasiSel_048
VaranasiSel_049
VaranasiSel_050
VaranasiSel_051
VaranasiSel_052
VaranasiSel_053
VaranasiSel_054
VaranasiSel_055
VaranasiSel_056
VaranasiSel_057
VaranasiSel_062
VaranasiSel_063

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi

VaranasiSel_064
VaranasiSel_065
VaranasiSel_066
VaranasiSel_068
VaranasiSel_069
VaranasiSel_072
VaranasiSel_073
VaranasiSel_074
VaranasiSel_075
VaranasiSel_076
VaranasiSel_077
VaranasiSel_078
VaranasiSel_079
VaranasiSel_080
VaranasiSel_081
VaranasiSel_087
VaranasiSel_089
VaranasiSel_090
VaranasiSel_091

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi

VaranasiSel_092
VaranasiSel_093
VaranasiSel_094
VaranasiSel_095
VaranasiSel_096
VaranasiSel_097
VaranasiSel_098
VaranasiSel_100
VaranasiSel_101
VaranasiSel_102
VaranasiSel_103
VaranasiSel_106
VaranasiSel_107

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi

VaranasiSel_108
VaranasiSel_109
VaranasiSel_110
VaranasiSel_111
VaranasiSel_112
VaranasiSel_113
VaranasiSel_114
VaranasiSel_115
VaranasiSel_117
VaranasiSel_118
VaranasiSel_119
VaranasiSel_120
VaranasiSel_121
VaranasiSel_123
VaranasiSel_124
VaranasiSel_125
VaranasiSel_128
VaranasiSel_132
VaranasiSel_133
VaranasiSel_134
VaranasiSel_136
VaranasiSel_137
VaranasiSel_138
VaranasiSel_141
VaranasiSel_142
VaranasiSel_143
VaranasiSel_144
VaranasiSel_145
VaranasiSel_146
VaranasiSel_147
VaranasiSel_148
VaranasiSel_149
VaranasiSel_151
VaranasiSel_152
VaranasiSel_153
VaranasiSel_156
VaranasiSel_157
VaranasiSel_158
VaranasiSel_159
VaranasiSel_161
VaranasiSel_162
VaranasiSel_163
VaranasiSel_164
VaranasiSel_165
VaranasiSel_167
VaranasiSel_168

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi


Tips for photographers

Be Light
Be ready to walk a lot; really a lot.
Wear slippers not shoes.
Get going before daybreak, take some rest in the afternoon and come back in the evening.
Don't stick to one place for long (unless you are sure about a shot) - keep moving.

 

 

 


Thanksgiving

Thank you for reading this post. Hope you liked spending time here. I will be back again with another interesting place.

Join us for a Photography Tour to Varanasi during Dev Diwali


This post is written by Saurabh Chatterjee. He is a travel photographer and a photography trainer.He strives to make every camera-owner a great photographer through his Photography workshops and Photo Tours and Photowalks.
All rights reserved. No copying without permission of the author Saurabh Chatterjee

Share with others