Tight restrictions on photographers here in Haridwar have made shooting this event difficult.
Millions of pilgrims are expected to arrive over the 4 months of the mela to bath in the river Ganges during this auspicious time. However police have prohibited photography in the main bathing ghats and have been enforcing this with vigor. As I stated in a previous post that I’ve had to look elsewhere and shoot the event in a different way than I’d planned. I arrived here with a shot list that included bright saris, splashing in the water, actually getting into the water myself & getting real close as people bath. I’ve managed to shoot a few shots like this including the one below, which was shot before the restrictions came into place, but its difficult to see how I can cross off any more of my shots from the list, at least for the moment.
The special guests for this Hindu celebration are the sadhu’s. Who according with tradition have renounced all there personal possessions and lead a nomadic life. I’ve been spending many an hour with these colour characters and I’m having possibly some of the best travel experiences of my life. Over 250 000 sadhus are expected to arrive and they’ll all be staying in various akharas (camps sites) dotted around the city and this is where I’ve been concentrating my efforts, in and around the tents, drinking chai & eating meals with the sadhus has given me great access to the shoot the lives of some very interesting people.
As always comments are open and I’d love you thoughts.
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I like the way you roll lights on faces.
Thanks fot the nice words
Hi, so cameras are restricted during bathing dates? Also videocameras? I am going to do my final project on the Kumbh Mela in April. How safe is it? I am a girl and I’m planning on going alone, not my first time (lived in Delhi for some time) but still… Any tips will be veeery welcome. Thanks a lot, Paula (tweeter @smoke_seller)
Hi, Paula.
Yes Im sure video cameras would be restricted and its not just the main bathing days, its every day. But its just at the main ghat where the resitrictions are in place at other ghats your free to respectfully shot. I’d say its very safe indeed, no problems at all.
Send me an email if there are any specifics you want to know
just fabulous–