Yoga International’s* Spring 2011 issue has a wonderful personal account by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait on the Kumbha Mela. They have selected Art Wolfe’s images to accompany the story. Pick this up at the newstand now, or CLICK HERE for a PDF of the article.
If you care to see more of Art’s images of this remarkable human event, have a look at the slide show below.
*Yoga International is an award-winning, independent magazine that contemplates the deeper dimensions of spiritual life—exploring the power of yoga practice and philosophy to not only transform our bodies and minds, but inspire meaningful engagement in our society, environment, and the global community.
India’s diversity surprises you with great images. We found women beautifully dressed in bright colors, yet carrying dung on their heads for cooking and heating their homes. Ancient erotic art adorns temples. How interesting from a culture that doesn’t allow on-screen kissing in their very large and popular movie industry. Ceremonies along the Ganges, celebrate light and life with the poorest of the poor. City life and country life are expressive via the lives of the people and animals. Even a savvy street dog is found suckling from a sacred cow.
Damoiselle cranes could easily fit into the pages of my book titled Migrations. It is a never ending theme of fascination, beauty and the power of nature that arroused me once again. These beautiful graceful creatures in large numbers are an experience that I love to revisit and watch those that are witnessing this phenomenon for the first time.
After a day of seriously photographing local color, which is hugely significant in Varanasi and India as a whole, we attended an aarti ceremony during which light is offered to deities.
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View this video for a preview of what to expect.
Art is in Haridwar, India, photographing the Kumbh Mela. Celebrated every three years in four different holy locations, the Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage. The Ganges River enters the vast Indian plain at Haridwar. In the past, Art has photographed the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, and he says this is a completely different experience. It is a smaller area and much more congested. Photography may be more difficult, but it is no less rewarding!
