To take God’s name & die in Varanasi – this is interpreted by Hindus in India as liberation of the soul, release from constant cycle of rebirth and reach the ultimate destination called “Moksha”. Kashi Labh MUKTI BHAVAN (“liberation house”) is one such place in Varanasi where people check-in to…
West Bengal is the state of fairs and festivals. A large number of festivities take place in this state throughout the year. Amongst them, one of the most famous fests is the Gangasagar Mela. It is held in the month of January-February, on the Ganga Sagar Island, at the mouth…
For all of us border means partition which lies between two countries or states. But what i had seen,i did not feel that bookish meaning of border. India and Nepal are two adjacent countries as our government maintains a friendship with Nepal. So for us the Indians we don’t need…
I discovered that the horse is life itself, a metaphor but also an example of life’s mystery and unpredictability, of life’s generosity and beauty, a worthy object of repeated and ever changing contemplation. – Jane Smiley To me, horses resemble strength, grace, freedom, and equally love and intimacy. When I…
Like most people from Bengal, Fish is something close to my heart or stomach for that matter. But have you ever thought what goes on from when a fish is caught till it appears in your local market? A lot actually, as I found out during some of my visits…
There is a famous quote by Cathrine Jones –” Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain – your life will never be the same.” And what else we can say about this. I met her in my college days during early…
Most countries have traditional style of Wrestling. In India, Wrestling takes place in a clay or dirt pit. This ancient sports use to hold great importance in Indian societies of the past, its popularity over the recent years however it is diminishing gradually. In India, there are some places where…
Clever, progressive, decisive and this guy wants to show something different from the mass of street photographers. Meet Soumyendra Saha from Kolkata, whose pictures are refreshing in this casual yet compelling genre of photography. His words are clear as his vision and his love for new found passion is quiet…
The story that I am presenting is of an Ashram in West Bengal which teaches the Vedas. Vedas, in Hinduism, are considered to be revelations. The students admitted here are specifically Pure Brahmins coming from various parts of West Bengal. These pictures depict their unique Life style. 1) Prat-Jagaron: The…
Beaches are celebrated to be a neighborhood for recreation, a place to let go of the day-to-day life and have a quiet time. It is, in most metropolitan cities, also known for its beach side properties and sea-facing villas for the affluent communities. But Mumbai, India’s economy capital differs from…
The Road Workers are some of the poorest and most marginalized sections of society. In India, they are mostly migrants from remote villages, often are less educated and not cautious about different preventive measures. Recently I happened to visit one of a road construction site in the outskirts of my…
Bapi da is lonely man living in the pilgrim town of Tarakeswar in West Bengal District, India. He has no close relatives, no close friend. He is an just another ordinary beggar. But that’s not how I found him when I met him in the bus stand in Tarakeswar. He…
Every year ‘Hujur Saheber Mela‘ is held annually along the international border between India and Bangladesh on 5th and 6th day of the Bengali Calendar month of Phalgun (February). This fair serves as a unique bridge between the two nations, just near the zero-line on the India-Bangladesh International Border at…
India, a land of diversified cultures and religions, is a home to some of the ancient civilizations on earth. It is a place where varied age-old rituals are performed by people of different religions to demonstrate their faith and as a penance to their deity or prophet they worship. While…
Bishwa Ijtema is and annual global Islamic Congregation held at Tongi, Bangladesh by the river Turag. It lasts three days and is attended by over five million Muslims, making it one of the largest congregations after the Hajj to Mecca and the gathering of Muslims in Karbala, Iraq. Devotees from…
In Bengal, Gajan and Charak stand unique in the scenario of Bengal festivals and in today’s modern age. Hindus celebrate the festival mainly on the last two days of the month of Chaitra, just before Bengali New Year. Basically this falls around mid-April. Although it is celebrated mostly in rural…