23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
The Spirit Unleashed
In the narrow lanes of southern India, a devotee embodies a fierce deity during a local festival procession. The air hums with drums, chants, and divine energy as he surrenders fully to the moment, blurring the line between mortal and god. This frame captures the raw intensity of faith expressed through movement, colour, and a state of trance.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 02.2025 |
| Date Uploaded: | 10.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Varanasi, India |
| Copyright: | © Arun Kumar Nalimela |