Death Rite

• Photographer
  Ian Flanders
• Prizes
  Gold in Editorial/Photo Essay, 3rd Place winner in Editorial

Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal is the Pashupatinath temple – considered one of the sacred temples of Hindu faith. Family, friends and the public gather to mourn the dead, witnessing the burning of the deceased on the pyres. With many maintaining traditional practices; from the shaving of male heads, ritualistic blessings and rinsing, to bringing the dying to the volunteer run hospital located alongside the ghats for what Hindu’s consider to be their last rite of passage.