Varanasi, the eternal city on the banks of the Ganges, is a place where life and death walk side by side, where the air is thick with the scent of incense, and the ghats hum with the prayers of millions. To grow up here is to grow up in a place where the cycle of life is on full display—where every sunrise over the river brings with it new beginnings, and every sunset marks the end of another chapter. It is a city of contrasts, of sacred rituals and chaotic streets, where tradition and modernity collide in vibrant harmony.

Over several days, we immersed ourselves in this ancient city with a group of children who called its narrow lanes and bustling ghats their playground. Some were friends of the family I was staying with, others were curious faces who appeared with each passing day, eager to try their hand at photography. The camera became more than just a tool—it became a shared experience, something that brought us all together despite our different worlds. The kids, many of whom had never held a camera before, found joy in capturing the city they knew so well, yet saw through a new lens.

The Importance of Place: Varanasi’s Teachings

Growing up in Varanasi instills a deep sense of connection—not just to the city but to something greater. The Ganges River is more than water; it is life, salvation, and sustenance. For the children, this sacred river flows through their daily lives, and their photos reflected the reverence they hold for it. They showed me the importance of place in their culture—that every stone step leading down to the water has its own story, every face at the ghats a part of the greater tapestry of life. In their photos, they captured moments of people bathing in the Ganges, not just as a ritual, but as an act of renewal—a metaphor for the city itself, constantly evolving, always alive.

The Power of Coming Together

As the days went by, the project became less about the individual and more about the collective. New faces appeared each day—children who had heard about the project and wanted a chance to be part of it. They shared the cameras without hesitation, teaching each other how to frame a shot, how to find the best light, how to capture the emotion of the moment. This act of sharing became a powerful reminder that the lessons of Varanasi aren’t just about the river or the temples, but about people coming together. In this city, where life and death meet in harmony, there is a deep understanding that we are all connected, that we are all part of something greater than ourselves.

The children embodied this lesson without even realizing it. They were patient with one another, laughing when a shot didn’t turn out right, cheering when someone captured something beautiful. In a place as complex and overwhelming as Varanasi, where the weight of history and faith can feel heavy, these children showed me that the lightness of coming together, of supporting one another, is what makes the city’s pulse beat strong.

Equal in the Eyes of the City

One of the most profound lessons I learned from these children was the deep-rooted sense of equality they carried with them. Varanasi, for all its chaos and complexity, is a place that teaches you that everyone is on the same path—whether you are a sadhu meditating by the river or a child playing cricket in the dusty streets, the city embraces you all the same. The kids reflected this belief in their interactions with one another. There was no competition, no hierarchy—just a shared joy in discovering their city anew through the camera.

This lesson of equality is embedded in the very soul of Varanasi. The children’s photos captured not just the iconic landmarks