Varanasi: Only Days After Devastation

On the evening of Tuesday March 7, 2006, two detonated bombs rocked the holy city of Varanasi, India. Suspected Muslim terrorists placed two football-sized bombs in shopping bags in the city’s most heavily populated area, which housed a Hindu temple where thousands of devotees were in the midst of their evening prayers. 28 people lost their lives and hundreds more were severely injured.

On March 11, 2006 I arrived in Varanasi, and the usually vibrant, and somewhat chaotic, city was eerily quiet. Local businesses and schools were closed, and most of the city’s attractions were unoccupied.

There were moments throughout my stay when I managed to capture the charm and beauty that is unique to Varanasi. The following four photographs represent Varanasi as it should be: free from distain and conflict.

Joel Tiller