46.1

They look out into Himalayan headwaters of the Ganges river, the vague reflections of their five lanky figures conspiring with the ripples of water beneath them. As the first rays of the dawning sun glisten on the vast sacred river, the little Hindu pilgrims stand at the edge of this “Ghat” at Uttar Pradesh in Varanasi – an iconic structure of steps along the coastline of the Ganges. This is their daily ritual bathing, which according to tradition is a purifying of the soul. I like to think, however, that the boys’ lithe figures and slight playfulness symbolize purity of friendship among children – and that this shot captures that ephemeral moment of bonding shrouded in the fog of nostalgia.