One of my favorite places to be is Varanasi during Dev Diwali, the Festival of Lights of the Gods. In the days leading up to this spectacular festival, thousands of devotees flock to Varanasi from all parts of India to celebrate this symbolic victory of light over darkness.
Over 100,000 pilgrims line the tiny winding alley ways of Varanasi, sometimes waiting for hours in tight crowds , offerings in hand , to enter the main temples of the city. They arrive by boat with the excitement of children at Christmas.
The devotees come together to bathe themselves in the sacred water of the Ganga River, believed to be life changing and spiritually healing. It is considered the holiest river in India and pilgrims dip themselves during Dev Diwali to purify themselves for the new year.
These images focus on the day of Dev Diwali hours before the festivities at sunset.