23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Ritual of Fire and Faith

A Nepali bride and groom during one of the most sacred moments of their wedding ceremony — offering grains and petals into the sacred fire as a symbol of unity, devotion, and the beginning of a shared life. Surrounded by garlands of red roses and draped in traditional attire, they perform this ritual in quiet concentration, embodying centuries-old customs that continue to define Nepali marriage traditions.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Bharatpur, region Chitwan, Nepal
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Copyright: © URSZULA KARGOL