Worth a watch: photographer Joey L in Varanasi, India creating images for his series, Holy Men

Varanasi, India: Beyond is available on YouTube, Vimeo and Joey L’s website

I love India. Photographically, it’s been a personal goldmine – the source of more ‘portfolio-worthy’ travel images than any other destination – but I also find the culture, the history, Hinduism and all its offshoots endlessly fascinating as well.

But India might not have the same appeal for everyone, as I unexpectedly discovered. While researching for my first trip to India I ran across the documentary, “Varanasi, India: Beyond” and instantly added Varanasi on the Ganges to my itinerary. Ancient, exotic and the epicenter of the Hindu religion, this film confirmed that Varanasi was exactly the kind of place I dream of exploring. I’d been planning a solo scouting mission but started thinking it might be nice to have some company. So, I hatched a plan to recruit my wife and my friend David as travel companions. I invited David over for dinner and afterwards, I casually mentioned this fascinating India doc I’d come across and hit play. I sat back confident David and my wife would both be begging me to come along once they got an eyeful of Varanasi’s ancient buildings, twisted lanes and riverside stone terraces (‘ghats’) teeming with throngs of devout pilgrims accessing the blessed waters of Mother Ganga, the Ganges river. Even more captivating were the actual subjects of the documentary, religious ascetics…holy men, known as Sadhus and Agghori’s. As the credits rolled, I turned to my companions and said, “now doesn’t that just make you want to go there and see it for yourself?” After an unexpected silence, David looked me straight in the eyes and answered for both, “Ken, not no, HELL NO!”

I was shocked….and humbled. India can be a bit…gritty, it’s true, especially for western eyes. But that’s reality and isn’t that so much more interesting than some sterile manicured resort? Obviously, I had my answer, at least as far as my wife and friend were concerned.

What about you? Add Varanasi, India: Beyond to your watchlist – it’s free and I promise you’ll find it fascinating as a photographer regardless of your ideas about India. It follows photographer Joey L as he creates images for his series, Holy Men. Let me know afterwards if you add India to the bucket list or decide to save it for another lifetime. If India seems like your cup of chai, get in touch or join us in March 2023 for our next Colors of India photography adventure.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

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