23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Where Devotion Meets the River

A vibrant yet spiritual scene unfolds along the ghats of the sacred Ganga River. The frame is alive with hundreds of devotees, wrapped in colorful shawls and saris, gathering in quiet reverence for evening prayers or ritual baths. The architecture — ornate temples, clock tower, and pastel buildings — stands tall against the backdrop of a rising hill, while the river flows steadily between the two banks, carrying centuries of faith with it. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere holds a calm rhythm, where individual devotion finds space amidst collective reverence.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2023
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Haridwar, India
Camera: NIKON D750
Copyright: © Prithwis Chatterjee