Prayers on the Ganges - Photographer Brian Cruickshank
Location: Varanasi, India
Date: October 2007
Photographer: Brian Cruickshank
University Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: Places
Award: 1st Place
"The most holy river for Hindus is the Ganges; the most spiritual place is Varanasi, through which this holy river flows. Varanasi, during the day, is like most of India - chaotic, frenetic. But in the morning, a calming peace takes hold, when the people come to pray. This photograph, taken in the early morning mist, shows a man at prayer on this most holy of rivers and reminds me of Varanasi at its most magical time of day."