23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Devotion through Time

As dusk settles along the sacred ghats, a young priest lifts the eternal flame towards the heavens in a timeless ritual of faith. Draped in vibrant robes, he becomes a bridge between tradition and the present, embodying a people’s enduring spirit and reverence. The smoke and fire swirl against the night sky, while sacred symbols—like the garlanded Shiva lingam and serpent—evoke the interwoven stories of human devotion and cultural heritage, breathing life into the collective soul of the community.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Varanasi, India
Copyright: © Arun Kumar Nalimela