Spiritual Liberation

• Photographer
  Thibault Gerbaldi
• Technical Info
  24-90mm Full Frame Iso 200 F/6
• Photo Date
  november 2024

Amid the sacred intensity of Varanasi, this series captures sadhus and aghoris—ascetics on a path toward moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Draped in saffron or ash, they move through alleys, ghats, and cremation grounds, embodying a radical search for transcendence. While sadhus meditate along the Ganges, aghoris challenge taboos, embracing what others fear or reject. In this city where life and death meet, they reflect a timeless, uncompromising devotion.

Thibault Gerbaldi is a self-taught Leica photographer and passionate traveler, known for authentic stories from the world’s most remote regions. His work spans landscapes from Greenland to India, blending documentary, travel, and portrait. He has self-published seven books and earned recognition: 1st at Siena Awards 2025, International Photo Awards 2025, and TPOTY Rising Talent (2024). Exhibited globally and featured in LFI and LENS Magazine. As a board member of The Forgotten International, he supports humanitarian projects.