Photography

Photography

Dr. Manish Arora's passion for photography shines through in his series capturing the vibrant cultures, events, and traditions of Varanasi. His deep connection with the city is reflected in each photograph, as he documents life along its ghats, the sacred rituals, and the timeless traditions that define its heritage. For him, photography is a way to preserve the soul of Varanasi.

Projects

Photo essay

Glimpses of Varanasi

Ghats, sky lamps, rituals and street life. Portfolio, 2024.

Book

A Cultural Fiesta at Sangam during Kumbh

Photobook of the 2013 Maha Kumbh. Luminous Books, 2019.

Elsewhere

More of his photography online

Flickr

Manish Arora on Flickr

His photography archive, with 246 photographs.

Open on Flickr Behance

A portfolio of his photographs.

Open on Behance Behance

Indian culture through the window of Varanasi

A photo series on Varanasi and its culture.

Open on Behance Behance

Kumbh 13

Photographs from the 2013 Maha Kumbh at the Sangam.

Open on Behance

Photography exhibitions

2026Banaras Chronicles 2.0, featured photographer, 30 Jan – 1 Feb 2026Group

2025Sankat Mochan Samaroh, photography exhibition, Varanasi, 16–21 Apr 2025Group

2023Kashi Lensed, Rajghat, Varanasi, Kashi Balloon & Boat Festival, U.P. TourismGroup

2019Life @ Ganga, Swatantrata Bhawan, BHU, 14–16 Feb 2019 (at the International Conference on River Health Assessment to Restoration)Solo

20191998s Look of India: A journey through living pictures, book, Luminous Books, Varanasi, 2019, ISBN 978-81-9419-663-1Book

2014Festival of Saints, Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 13–17 Jan 2014Solo · Intl

2014Mooving Culture, Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins University, 26–29 Jan 2014Solo · Intl

2012Mooving Focus, Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU, 2–6 Jan 2012Solo

2012Namah, Faculty of Performing Arts, BHU, 21–23 Sep 2012Solo

2012Mother Divine, 1st Prize, All India Photography Exhibition, HT City / Lucknow Camera ClubAward

2011Dark Space, Nagari Natak Mandali, Varanasi, 17–23 Sep 2011Solo

2011Cultural Harmony, Faculty of Performing Arts, BHU, 19–21 Sep 2011Solo

2006Chandigarh: A Heritage City, Lalit Kala Akademi / Chandigarh TourismGroup

1999Yahi Hai India, Parts 1–3, e-publication (CD) by V-Soft Services, Mumbai, as co-author. Photographs of historic sites in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolhapur, Shirdi, Nashik, Aurangabad, Pune, Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Jaipur, January 1999Publication

Founder-convener of Obscura, the Photography Art Club of BHU. Life member of the Lucknow Camera Club. Member of the Federation of Indian Photography, Kolkata, India International Photography Council, Horizon International Photographic Society, Lucknow.