
The famous Annapurna Range, one of the tallest and deadliest mountain ranges in the world.



Bodies are burnt and swept of the banks into the Bagmati River. In Hinduism, cremated bodies must be scattered into the sea, or in waters that flow to the sea, to transport them to the next life.

You will find many Sadhus or Holy Men at the Pashupatinath. These are people that have let go of all worldly possessions and live committed to a life of devotion. Can't beat a good cigarette thought right?




The thick yellow smoke of burning bodies, wood and reed. The dead are often burnt with many of their prized possessions and jewels to take with them into the next life. Kids of the 'lowest cast' that live in extreme poverty will wait eagerly in the river to retrieve these possessions. They drag magnets tied on with string or wire and wade through the river all day (see first photograph of the story).

A large crowd of family and friends gather around the dead while they perform their final rituals before beginning the cremation. Notice how we wear black at our funerals and here most are dressed in gorgeous vibrant colours... I understand that wearing black to a funeral is respectful, but are we not showing our respect just by being at the funeral? It's these subtle differences between our cultures that incrementally affect our perspectives on death.

A life full of devotion must also be a life full of determination and constant distraction... Will Sadhu culture really survive the next century? Either way, this generation will test the resilience of their belief.