SHANE LAVALETTE / PHOTOGRAPHS

Waking Vrindavan (2009)

The Indian village of Vrindavan is believed by many Hindus to be the physical manifestation of ‘heaven’ as well as the place in which the deity Krishna assumed human form thousands of years ago and lived a single life as a man. The Hindi word vrinda translates to “a devotion to spiritual purity.” To Krishna devotees, the village and the miles of hills surrounding it are extremely sacred.
This selection of photographs comes from a larger body of work created during a short time that I spent living in Vrindavan. While there, I observed in the people a spiritual richness that transcended their material lives. Made during the early morning hours, as the sun rises and the village wakes, these photographs capture the quiet of the place as daily rituals commence.



















































Baby Krishna, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Offering, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Boy on Bike, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Bed, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Children at School, Vrindavan, India, 2009

School Boy with Clock, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Dog, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Holy Men, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Western Devotee, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Vegetables, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Four Men, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Woman Sitting, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Lock, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Morning Fog, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Man Sitting in Loi Bazaar, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Trash Fire, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Man with Tilak, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Swimming, Vrindavan, India, 2009

School Girl Sitting, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Woman Pumping Water, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Boy in Plaid, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Bags, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Goswami Ratanlal, Vrindavan, India, 2009

Yamuna, Vrindavan, India, 2009


SHANE LAVALETTE / PHOTOGRAPHS