THE WAY HOME

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·@mauro-debettio·
0.000 HBD
THE WAY HOME
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmaW5kyiHdH84or3YECZmSvW6LGBLvE6icFkYKengLWzZk/01.jpg)
My enduring passion for both photography and exploration has led me to India on nine separate occasions within the span of the last thirteen years.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmVPqyT2ybJ9uzy8aN9fX3keCoYra5WaQ9zQTHQdFc4YA3/02.jpg)
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYYZWUWe5RY8vZWUpmWwNUT7o7xwciuSxqaA8VHzSNxqn/03.jpg)
It's challenging to articulate precisely why India holds such a profound place in my heart, why it resonates as a second home where I've experienced some of life's most unforgettable moments.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmaXbBZGz1Q9SJXZGJzEEaQ43Ca9azJ39tKtt7otm172hx/04.jpg)


Above all else, it's the people who have left an indelible mark on me. They embody simplicity, generosity, honesty, and a gentle dignity that is unparalleled.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUVMx13ELENfsCQazivFhraAhVfChB4xskYTm2CBMNGcK/05.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmYMkpDesqmwb4CTFoxdg4dDR6AF4WdGeg7cMLVWs5WA3t/06.jpg)

Their warm embrace and remarkable tolerance towards all religions and cultures are qualities that continue to inspire me.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmRZwwARQA4fgp5eCeF1t2QEhAUDb7ASutWbXTarFwvPfm/07.jpg)

During my extensive travels throughout India, one group that has consistently captivated my attention is the Sadhus, the holy men of Hinduism.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmdh9jfxGysk5QpScojt8oy8p6wfCfPyAG6KtnwHne2bLb/08.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNvq4ZSbpZg3gJpvFcUzghaMiLJ8TCtVAi8Dyz6zyCkMa/09.jpg)

The term "Sadhu," meaning 'good men,' refers to devout individuals who have renounced worldly possessions and chosen a life of spiritual devotion.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmcHuVae57FpGp2tm7aYQrzS3q8zfiNWmumZ1LXAwxzpKJ/10.jpg)

Their distinctive orange attire symbolizes the purity of their commitment, having metaphorically shed their former selves to embrace a new existence.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbmgrvw5hH19oRcxuWCLbSSV3QpWJRGT5cvErQr3ecwFS/11.jpg)

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With a tradition spanning over five millennia, there are currently between four to five million Sadhus traversing the Indian subcontinent. Many gravitate towards the sacred waters of the Ganges, a lifeline revered as both a physical and spiritual entity by millions of Indians.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmck2D9pHrRXxHhv6bewu32QoqYp1NGUFWkvtfpFFrmmLb/13.jpg)

My long-term project documenting the lives of Sadhus aimed to capture the essence of these extraordinary individuals.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmTPuFxrLn59XN5FgwkubuzmErDXV24weY5WhSGV9uKo5v/14.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmWhafQmTNwWvGZY6aJrJGz6VkUR5paDviZvxbvHvghAqB/15.jpg)

While my primary objective was to comprehend the wisdom and experience that enables them to lead such seemingly isolated lives, I recognized that true understanding could only come from immersing myself in their world.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmbWhm1VMFvRutSf5enVtKNBU69Jnft2oM37UH6Tp56Ds8/16.jpg)

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmT51UBqDbw8Pgimru9tThchvcW6irJ9ipoYUTmXUtn9J6/17.jpg)

Living in close proximity to the Sadhus was not just a means to an end; it was an essential step in capturing the intimate portraits I sought.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmcDKJjGby7bSN4ouWebUhaaoRhgHXBZtmBnYsj2m1ZXv1/18.jpg)

Each weathered face held a story waiting to be told, and it was through this immersive experience that I could truly convey their narratives.

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This is the behind-the-scene film of the project:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XN8N0BeL-Q

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