Anant -अनंत – In Search Of The Absolute - PS03

Photography on paper.

35x23"

Limited edition 5 of 10.

Images of this story are being shot in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. This region has Tibet in the north and Nepal in the east. An important spiritual place for Hindus, many sadhus and yogis have spent their entire lives meditating and studying the Vedas and Upanishads here. Rishikesh is an important spiritual city where people from all over the world come to learn yoga.

This shot on Laxman Jhoola in Rishikesh, an extremely ancient suspension bridge of immense spiritual significance. This bridge was initially a hanging jute bridge until the year 1889. Its roots go way back to the Ramayana period (7000 BC) when Laxman, the younger brother of Lord Ram, crossed this bridge at the very spot it stands today. That’s how it came to be called Laxman Jhoola.

Pilgrims throw wheat balls into the Ganga from the bridge to feed the fish. Cows roam freely, graciously accepting offerings from passersby. Melodious chants of mantras echo from nearby temples and ashrams, blending with the sound of the Ganga rippling below.