Undiscovered Varanasi
With
Dinesh Khanna
and Abhishek Hajela
March 25th - 28th 2022
No one sees what you see, even if they are looking at the same thing.” It's this maxim that I believe, is at the heart of Street Photography. Each of us have a unique and very personal vision of the world and engage with it in our own special way. Recognising this, we ensure that you are encouraged to make images according to your vision and not just according to a general template.
Our classroom lectures, photo walks and critique sessions are built around this foundational premise and we make sure you realise your full potential as a photographer by the end of this workshop.
The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world is the place to capture the best of images.
These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. The Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.
On this trip, we will focus on the streets of Varanasi, its ghats, sadhus, pilgrims and villages.
Dates: March 25th – 28th 2022
Price: INR 39,900 + GST
Trip Leader:
Dinesh Khanna
(Veteran Professional Photographer, Teacher, Mentor and Author)
Abhishek Hajela
(Nikon Professional and National Geographic Traveller Photographer)
*Dinesh and Abhishek are fully vaccinated.
* If Lockdown or any COVID related protocols come into play, all fees will be refunded. If paying through an App, the refund will be minus the processing fee and in case of a bank transfer, it will be refunded minus the bank charges.
Book Here:
Contact for Bank Transfer
Detailed Itinerary:
Mar 25 — Arrival in Varanasi
Upon arrival in Varanasi, we will start our drive to our hotel, which is in the heart of the city. After the check-in formalities couple of hours are free to relax before we start exploring the city.
The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world.
Later today, you will be escorted to the Ghats of the Holy River Ganges for an evening walk and Sunset boat ride to witness the Aarti Ceremony, when a group of young priests perform a ritualistic ceremony commemorated to “Agni”, the Lord of Fire, amidst devotional chants and music. Hundreds of butter lamps are lit and set afloat on the sacred Ganges.
Mar 26 and 27 In Varanasi
Activity in Varanasi will include early morning boat rides, street walking, portrait shoot and location shoot. Photographic opportunities while in Varanasi will include sadhus in a boat on the Ganges in the early morning, scalp shavers, pilgrims bathing, Arti ceremony, temple worship, stall owners, rickshaw bicycle drivers, portraits and a lot of street photography. We will also photograph silk weaving artisans in nearby villages.
Mar 28 — Departure
After an early morning shoot, we will take our flight back home.
INCLUSIONS:
Ø Accommodation based on twin sharing rooms for 03 nights.
Ø All meals starting from lunch on the 25th of March till breakfast on the 28th of March.
Ø Transport: We will be using Tempo Travellers throughout the trip; pick-up and drop at Varanasi Airport from the hotel is included.
Ø Boat rides in Varanasi
Ø All currently applicable taxes.
EXCLUSIONS:
Ø Domestic Flights to and from Varanasi
Ø To and fro from home-airport-home
Ø Anything not mentioned in the program or “Inclusions”
Ø Personal expenses, medical expenses and travel insurance
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Ø 50% of the trip cost will be charged if cancelled before ten days of the Trip date
Ø 100% of the trip cost will be charged if cancelled under ten days of the Trip date