These pictures were taken in Varanasi, India, during the festival of Shivratri. The festival is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and occurs in the month of March. Shiva happens to be the patron deity of Varanasi, so there is a certain excitement in the air at that time. The boy here is dressed as Lord Shiva, to honor the deity on this special occasion. He happens to have a certain dramatic intensity in his own right, particularly his stare.
keepclicking wrote:
Wow! Another lovely image from sadhu capital Varanasi! Can’t vote but it’s definitely worthy of it. Just curious if you ask for permission to shoot?
Thanks very much! Yes, his father was the one who painted him, and accompanied him throughout. He was proud that I would take a picture of his son, and that I so appreciated his handiwork.
