Photos taken by Arunava in India

Travel Photography Photos taken by Arunava in India

67 photos by Arunava taken in India Show as stream

Twilight by Arunava

13 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
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The Sadhu by Arunava

13 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: bestof2013 sadhu; mendicant;
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Aarati by Arunava

13 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: river ritual ganges;
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PA136326 by Arunava

13 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
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Old Pipal tree - but not old enough in Banaras by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: trees roots
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PA136313 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: bestof2013 sadhu; mendicant;
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PA136312 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: bestof2013 sadhu; mendicant;
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Ferry me Across Life by Arunava

Boatmen getting ready for the morning at the Ghats in Varanasi. The Boatman and his Boat Has Been a significant and interesting subject of myths. In Greek mythology, Charon or Kharon is the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron That divided the world of the living from the world of the dead. The ancient Egyptian myths of boatmen ferrying both - the living and the dead in the Nile is well Documented. There is Noah and his Arc in the Old Testament, not to forget the Boatmen in the Sea of Galilee who were associated with one of the first miracles of Jesus .... Here, one can not imagine Banaras now: Boats in the Ganges .. .. Its metaphoric overtones are a strong part of the vibrant canvas that is inseparably interwoven with this ancient City.

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: boats bestof2013 ganges;
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PA126271 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: sadhu; mendicant;
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PA126256 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: buildings architecture
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PA126248 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: buildings architecture
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PA126242 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: buildings architecture
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PA126236 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: buildings architecture ghats;
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Alamgir Mosque by Arunava

Also called the Gyanvapi Mosque

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: buildings architecture mosque
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PA126202 by Arunava

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: buildings architecture river
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The Alamgir Mosque by Arunava

A few of the major "Ghats" are seen from afar. The Panchganga Ghat, the Shitala Ghat, the Lalita Ghat, a side view of the Manikornika and the Scindia Ghat is visible here. However the moat significant image is of the Alamgir Mosque. It is also called the Gyan Vyapi Mosque. The Gyanvapi — the well of knowledge — is situated between the temple and the mosque. This "well" of knowledge is believed by Hindus to be on the location where the sacred Shiva 'linga' icon of the temple was hidden, before the temple was razed by Aurangzeb. Material from the destroyed temple was reused by Aurangzeb while building the Gyanvapi Mosque.The mosque shows evidence of original Hindu temple in its foundation, columns and rear. The old temple wall was also incorporated as part of the walls of the mosque. The deliberately retained remnants of the temple are described to be "a warning and an insult to Hindu feelings". The facade is modeled on the Taj Mahal's entrance. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple was rebuilt in 1780 by the Hindu Maratha Queen Rani Ahilya-Bai Holkar besides the mosque and the two structures have existed in harmony since then, separated by a barricade of iron staves, wire and a number of baton wielding policemen. The Mosque was destroyed by the floods in 1948 and was rebuild thereafter. Visible here are also the multitude of 'budget hotels' - all fighting for space with a view of the river and the sunrise.

4 October 2013 - Varanasi, India
Tags: mosque bestof2013 ghats;
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The Ram Ghat by Arunava

This is "Ram Ghat" and the buildings surrounding it. It is located near the Harsiddhi Temple and was built by the Raja of Jaipur. The ghat comes alive during the Ramnavami Mela held on the 9th day of Chaitra. Hindus take a bath early in the morning and worship Lord Ram in the neighboring temple. There is a very interesting thing that I would want you to note. You will notice in the photograph that a large number of buildings - especially in the upper tiers - have broken walls. These are the rudimentary but creditable efforts by the municipal officials to control unrestrained and unauthorized construction in the Ghats. In many instance, old architecturally significant buildings have been altered and changed by the builders to build more and more hotels for tourists. After-all, tourism is the major money-spinner in Banaras. The municipal officials in one go had 'brought down' a few hundred illegal and unsafe constructions or reduced to size many unauthorized 'extensions' that many hotels had made.