The ghats of Benaras are an impressionist painting: the thin glassy river shimmering in the foreground; women bathing in colourful saris; thin muscular yogis perfecting their yoga asanas; sadhus deep in meditation or chanting the mahamrityunjaya jaap; pot-bellied businessmen dipping into the waters; groups of elderly pilgrims gingerly making their way down the slick narrow steps; convoys of boats; the rites and rituals for the souls on their final journeys; crowds of mourners, and always, always, the pyres.
Benaras is a stunning collection of photographs that captures the beauty and vibrancy of this ancient city. From the divine ghats lining the holy Ganga to the rustic streets and the intricately detailed temples, each breathtaking image transports you to a land steeped in culture and history. Every page you turn will take you on an organic and deeply self-explorative journey where your weathered soul can embrace the glorious divine.
About the Author
Ritu Jhignon graduated with BCom (Hons) from Sri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi and holds an MBA in marketing. She has worked extensively in the areas of corporate communications and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Over the last decade, she has been focusing on social-impact projects related to women and children and has delivered innumerous projects that have led many communities towards sustainable growth. Her work has been recognized globally and she has been honoured as one of the Top 50 CSR professionals in the world. She has also been an active sports person and has received many state and national awards for her contribution in Aquatics.
Ritu has never been particularly religious. Her association with places of worship and temples began as a way of personal reflection. She believes that the act of photography is essentially a cry against our own mortality—with every image we capture, we hope to freeze time and immortalize ourselves. She feels that photography is the alchemy through which mundane things can be magically transformed into something incredible.
She lives in New Delhi with her doctor son, Samay.
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