Photographs by Karen Church
Dharamsala, India, 2004: Karen participated in a photo workshop with Phil Borges and Bridges to Understanding in Dharamsala, India. Each participant provided mentorship to the students at Tibetan Children’s Village to enable children to tell their stories on the internet. Bridges networks children from different indigenous cultures around the world.
Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, India, 2007: “Happy Holi Day!”
International Yoga Festival, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, India, 2007. Every evening at sunset, a light ceremony takes place athe the Ashram called Ganga Aarti. The Rishikumars express their gratitude to Lord Shiva for the gift of the day. The Rishikumars live and study in an orphanage call Parmarth Gurukul. They practice yoga and are trained to be Hindu priests. As featured in book “Following the Ganges River: Yoga Journey with Desirée Rumbaugh, 2007 by Karen Church.
Ganges River, Varanasi, India, 2007: Morning baths and holy dips, Varanasi Ghats. Ganga Aarti photographed from a boat.