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 |