Photos: The Ganges River at Sunrise
Varanasi is unlike any other place on Earth. The city is considered to be over 3,000 years old –one of the oldest in the world– and it hugs the Ganges River, which is held sacred by nearly one billion Hindus. Sunrise is the best time to visit, when thousands of people stream into the ghats to bathe and make offerings, while hundreds of boats ferry tourists up and down the river.
Mark Twain summed it up best when he said that it “is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
Here are a dozen of my best shots, taken over a five day period. I hope you enjoy them.
Free desktop wallpapers are available HERE
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It really does hug the river if that last shot is anything to go by.
Holy Ganga! Wes, this is incredible. I cannot recall the last time I saw such positive pictures of the ghats at Varanasi! Great timing too!
Thanks, man! Amazing place.
Really beautiful shots. Thank you :)
Thanks, Michael :)
Awesome set of photographs, I have yet to go to India, but I’m planning for a trip there and Varanasi is high on the list. These photos really give me a feel for the place… I love the picture of the girl feeding the birds from the a boat (assume that is what she is doing…).
Yeah, she was feeding the gulls. Some boats were surrounded by hundreds of birds – it was a bit crazy.
I love the magic in the second photo. The expressions of joy are priceless.
Fantastic photos. Isn’t the light at dawn amazing? I just posted some pictures from Varanasi yesterday. The interplay of light, color and faith at Varanasi is fascinating.
Those are some nice shots!
Wow Wes, really lovely shots. I especially like the first one with the person in red, and the last where you can see the ancient structures. I will have to visit India some day. :)
Thanks, Jennifer. It’s an incredible place.
Gorgeous shots. Thank you!
Thank *you*!
WOW…..I really regret missing this place my last trip…I certainly have to go back. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful.
Yeah, I think it’s my favorite place in India. One of the more trying and exhausting places too…
Best ones yet. I keep saying that, but it’s true.
Thanks, brother. Still learning out here…
WES All SUBERB! AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR PHOTO MAGIC, I HAVE DECIDED TO
LEAVE MY CAMERA HOME IN PARIS WHEN I TRAVEL TO VARANASI IN MARCH
OF THIS YEAR. MARYLOUISE
Don’t do it! Ya gotta bring a camera :)
Amazing!
Your best photos yet by far. Unbelievable job… Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Ryan – I’m really happy with these.
The shots are out of this world! If only Varanasi could look and feel peace and serenity like in these pics.. And not constantly be harassed by hugest swam of touts ever :)
Yeah, the touts are annoying but I have to say they weren’t as bad as I remembered. Last time I was here they wouldn’t take no for an answer…
Gorgeous photos. I love the second one. It really looks like a whole other world or time!
Thanks, Tracy! That was a lucky catch — I took 6-7 photos of her feeding the gulls and that one was the keeper :)
You already know this, but I’m going to say it again anyway, you’re a fantastic photographer, Wes. I always judge the pics that people display on their travel blogs by comparing them to magazine photos to decide how good they really are and yours are definitely of professional quality. Not many people can do this. Absolutely brilliant!
Wow, thanks Adam — that makes my day :)
Fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing.
I personally love Varanasi. It’s definitely the most magical place in India and one of the most magical places I have ever seen.
It really is like stepping back in time, isn’t it?
I love these photos…the light is so warm and the vibe, so beautiful. I feel like I’m right there in Varanasi, enjoying the sunrise. Thanks for the vicarious–and beautiful–journey!
PS: If you aren’t already, you should be working for National Geographic!
Thank you, Lisa. No chance of me working for Nat Geo — those photogs *really* know what they’re doing. I just fake it ;)
Awesome pics bro! Makes me think of kodachrome, but of course you probably don’t have much use for that (plus I think they just discontinued that film). Keep up the good work, and try to send some stuff to National Geographic…or maybe at least that Kodak contest they co-sponsor. How much more time on your walk-about?
Thanks, Chris! I’ve got the budget for another 6 months or so. Hard to say, as I do some freelance work from the road and the site is starting to generate a wee bit of income. Hoping to stretch it!
Yes, it is a special place. And these are beautiful images.
We arrived there late at night to see the nightly ceremony they have to honor the river. It was an incredible sight. I was out of batteries- by the time we made our way to the river. Glad to see these pictures as a reminder of my trip to India three years ago and a reminder to return, but with my family this time.
Yeah, batteries and memory cards really suffer here, don’t they? I went through 2 full batteries and 12 gigs of cards in just one morning…
Was that a American flag steps in one of the pictures?
No, the steps are just painted red and white (if I’m looking at the right shot)
These are your best shots yet. You have a great sense of scope and scale in these. Really well done.
Thanks, Michael. Varanasi is a real contrast — in the Old City, the alleys are narrow and dark. Then you reach the Ganges and the sky just knocks you over.
Wow, wow, wow!! Your photo essay of life on the Ganges River is absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing your travels to Varanasi, India.
~cheers, hiptraveler
Thanks for the kind words, Kelly.
Gorgeous! Such a beautiful place to photograph!
One of my favorite spots of all time for photography…
I pretty much only have one word: WOW! These are beautiful, and it looks as though you’ve done a good job capturing the spirit and feeling of the place. Amazing shots!
Thanks, Amanda! Very kind of ya.
Stunning real life people shots, Wes!
Thanks, Abby. Happy New Year!
Wow Wes, when did you turn into such a kickass photographer?! Great post!
Aww, thanks Candice. I’m just faking it :)
Absolutely beautiful. Wow — thank you for sharing these!
Thank you, Heather.
Brilliant picks! Really like the religious picks, totally captures Varnasi’s vibe. We did the evening boat, which kinda sucked for photos because it got dark too quickly. Our “row boat guide” was so tiny and weak that we barely floated with the river current – I felt bad and just wanted to take over and get that boat moving for him! But, I bit my tongue and let him do his thing… ;-)
Ha ha! I saw a couple of people stuck in your situation. I watched one boat from the shore for ten minutes and the thing never moved, despite the poor guy rowing his heart out.
These are absolutey breathtaking BREATHTAKING photos, Wes. Stunning. Should be in National Geographic.
Thanks, D!
Very nice work, i was wondering how bad the crowds of tourists are over there?
Tourism seems to be down all over India. The attacks in ’08 really hurt the industry and it doesn’t seem to have recovered yet. I’ve only been turned away from a full hotel once or twice in two months.
Nice pictures, but do a google search of Ganges and garbage and dead bodies and you’ll see the river as it really is, a real cess pool.
Yeah, the river is filthy but it’s cleaner than it was 10 years ago. The city was cleaner as well. Still a long ways to go, but they’re making an effort.
Wes, these are really incredible!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks, Phil :)
You know as I look at these pictures , they really would make awesome post cards , and if not than a set of post cards , which would be even better. Really nice tranquil feelings , And Peace full . thanks for re tweeting it.
Thanks, Chris! I’m hoping to offer prints soon.
Awesome shots mate – I’m impressed by all of your stuff, but these shots more than most. Really want to sit down over a beer with you again someday and have a chat about India…
Thanks! Let’s make it happen. You’re buying? ;)
Of course … you cover the transport, I’ll cover the beers.
Actually I’m not sure who’d come off worst out of that…
Ha ha, yeah I suspect it’ll be a case of “same same”
Holy cow, these are gorgeous! I’m especially impressed with the ones of people–I’m such a chicken with people shots. Although I only have a point-and-shoot, so I don’t have any photog street cred to really make it look like I should be taking pictures of people.
Thanks, Megan. Actually, I think point-n-shoots are better for people shots. They’re more casual and friendly. When people see the big SLR, they tense up.
That said, I’m a HUGE chicken with people shots, too. I should have tons of good ones, but I don’t :(
I love the colors in these photos — especially the light pink shades of the sky and water.
you could actually capture the magical panorama
Gorgeous set!
Loving your pics of my favourite place in India. Nowhere else quite like it. Did you see the Space Invaders Motifs around the ghats? some freaky artist put 12 up a couple of years ago…
Thanks, Victoria. I did, indeed, see the space invaders murals! LOVED them. Got a couple of shots, but they didn’t make the final cut :)
There is no place like Varanasi/ Benares!!! The only things missing are the pics of the burning ghats and the rotting water buffaloes upriver from the washing ghats and dhobi whallas!!!
Wow, the second shot with the birds and the boat is perfect!
Beautiful set of shots.
AMAZING photos! These are just fantastic. India is my favorite place on earth.
It can be hard travel but it’s equally rewarding. Thanks for the comment.
Superb photography Wes, and I am glad I found your post and learn that Varanasi is the place to go to for all things Ganghes related.
Yeah, it’s incredible. Especially for photography.
Beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing. I love the shot of the guy in the boat-the blues look amazing!
The colors in the morning are incredible. The haze and smog hide the sun until about 10am, but as a result you get this really diffuse, warm light. Perfect for photos.
Some beautiful images there… I especially like the one of the man praying. Nice work!
Thanks a lot :)
Wow! Amazing shots!
Man! I believe I met you in Varanasi someday around 1/3~1/4!
Your photo of that soldier carrying a machine gun reminds me of such a scene at the Main Ghat. I was there wandering after a morning boat trip, trying to catch people bathing in the Ganges. I watched the silhouette of that young soldier for a while. There was somebody carrying a professional camera with a white lens(70~200 IS or something) walking nearby… I am not sure but that guy might comes with beard just like yours…
I had several photos of the Ganges in fog just pretty similiar to yours, which is also a proof of our possible passing by…in my album
http://cid-df97a8dbba445fc0.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/%E5%A4%A7%E7%94%BB%E8%A5%BF%E6%B8%B8%20%20%E2%80%9D%E8%B5%B0%EF%BC%81%E5%8E%BB%E5%93%AA%EF%BC%9F%E5%A4%A9%E7%AB%BA%EF%BC%81%E2%80%9C
If that’s really you, I should say the world is small.
Wow, these are so beautiful…I love my hometown for such beauty and I must say you caught it all amazingly well …Love dose birds on river Ganges :) wow…