MAHA SHIVARATRI
I’ve come the day before Shivaratri, a Hindu festival celebrated annually in reverence of the god Shiva, in the hopes that I will catch the sadhus preparing for the ceremonies. As a non-Hindu, I’m not permitted to enter Pashupatianath Temple. This temple is considered one of the sacred temples of the Hindu faith. So, I shoot from outside, the sadhus’ dressing room.
I’m in luck. Several sahdus begin their preparations by covering themselves in ash, some taking several hours to paint their bodies. There is a wide array of dress (or in some cases undress) and makeup, but each sadhu has his own theme.
Read the rest of the story: http://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/blog/2016/3/17/or2gjndogpuwhkxms91ainh7yjkecc
MADHAV NARAYAN
This morning, I'm documenting the Madhav Narayan festival in Bhaktapur. This month-long festival is one of the most difficult rituals practiced by Hindus in Nepal. Devotees undertake a month-long fast, walk barefoot in the cold winter mornings, and take a chilly, holy bath in the early light of day.
Around me, women loosen their hair and prepare their offerings before entering the freezing water. They disregard the trash that floats up around them and rinse their entire body, including their mouths. Many light candles at the water's edge and chants of Madhav Narayan fill the air.
Read the whole story here: http://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/blog/2016/2/25/a-photographer-in-nepal-madhav-narayan
MAHA SHIVARATRI
I’ve come the day before Shivaratri, a Hindu festival celebrated annually in reverence of the god Shiva, in the hopes that I will catch the sadhus preparing for the ceremonies. As a non-Hindu, I’m not permitted to enter Pashupatianath Temple. This temple is considered one of the sacred temples of the Hindu faith. So, I shoot from outside, the sadhus’ dressing room.
I’m in luck. Several sahdus begin their preparations by covering themselves in ash, some taking several hours to paint their bodies. There is a wide array of dress (or in some cases undress) and makeup, but each sadhu has his own theme.
Read the rest of the story: http://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/blog/2016/3/17/or2gjndogpuwhkxms91ainh7yjkecc
Chain Free Elephants in Nepal
Tigertops Lodge in Nepal is the first lodge to allow their elephants to go chain free and eliminate the practice of elephant rides. Instead, they promote ethical tourism by setting up jungle walks with their elephants. To learn more about elephant conservation, visit http://elephantwatchnepal.com/.
MADHAV NARAYAN
This morning, I'm documenting the Madhav Narayan festival in Bhaktapur. This month-long festival is one of the most difficult rituals practiced by Hindus in Nepal. Devotees undertake a month-long fast, walk barefoot in the cold winter mornings, and take a chilly, holy bath in the early light of day.
Across the bank of the river, a row of men and boys line up in front of a temple. They are dressed in white. They hold conch shells in their hands and lift them to their lips. They chant and follow women in red who roll out large pieces of white fabric. The men and boys roll or crawl over the fabric, which is unrolled around the entire perimeter of the temple (maybe a half a mile).
Read the whole story here: http://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/blog/2016/2/25/a-photographer-in-nepal-madhav-narayan
MADHAV NARAYAN
This morning, I'm documenting the Madhav Narayan festival in Bhaktapur. This month-long festival is one of the most difficult rituals practiced by Hindus in Nepal. Devotees undertake a month-long fast, walk barefoot in the cold winter mornings, and take a chilly, holy bath in the early light of day.
Around me, women loosen their hair and prepare their offerings before entering the freezing water. They disregard the trash that floats up around them and rinse their entire body, including their mouths. Many light candles at the water's edge and chants of Madhav Narayan fill the air.
Read the whole story here: http://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/blog/2016/2/25/a-photographer-in-nepal-madhav-narayan
Chain Free Elephants in Nepal
Tigertops Lodge in Nepal is the first lodge to allow their elephants to go chain free and eliminate the practice of elephant rides. Instead, they promote ethical tourism by setting up jungle walks with their elephants. To learn more about elephant conservation, visit http://elephantwatchnepal.com/.
The Boy Monks of Dohla
The boys from Dohla are between six and ten years old and left home to join a monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. There are a variety of reasons children come to the monastery. For some, it means a roof over their head, food on the table, and education. For others, it is an honor to their devout Buddhist families to have a monk or nun in the family. Almost every family from Dohla has sent a child.
For the full story here: http://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/blog/2016/6/9/the-boy-monks-from-dohla