AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY INTO THE SOUL: HOLI – THE COLOURFUL FESTIVAL OF COLOURS AND RAJASTHAN

WHEN TWO PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM DIFFERENT WORLDS SHARE THE SAME PASSION: INDIA
What happens when two photographers from completely different worlds come together — united by their passion for India?

Uwe discovered India more than three decades ago and developed a deep connection to what became his second home. Nagender grew up on the streets of Delhi and found in photography a way to transform his life. Today, he is an internationally recognized photographer and visual storyteller.

Together, they offer far more than a photography tour: an authentic encounter with the people, traditions, and stories of India. The combination of Uwe’s European perspective and Nagender’s personal access opens doors to experiences that very few travelers ever get to see.

More than a workshop – an experience

Uwe and Nagender open doors to encounters and stories that remain hidden to most visitors.

For photographers, travelers, and storytellers seeking more than beautiful images: the pulse of the streets, the warmth of the people, and the soul of India. With Uwe and Nagender, you will not only photograph India.

You will experience it.

Nagender’s life story is as extraordinary as it is inspiring.

Born and raised in Delhi, he worked for ten years as a day laborer in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, earning barely more than twenty euros a month.

Photography entered his life through a chance encounter with the German wheelchair traveler and photographer Andreas Prove, whom he supported during his travels.

What began as an unexpected opportunity became a passion. Today, Nagender is an internationally published photographer and visual storyteller. His work has appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world, and he published a book with National Geographic. In 2023, he received the “Best Photographer & Story Award” at the El Mundo Festival for his project Culture Curry.

He has also collaborated with organizations such as Amnesty International, CARE India, Terre des Hommes Germany, CAPA Press, and Wild Angle Productions in Paris, contributing to numerous international reportages and documentary projects.

Uwe – Seeing India with the Heart

For more than thirty years, Uwe has returned to India again and again.

Rajasthan in particular holds a special place in his heart.

For him, photography is far more than capturing images. It is devotion, presence, mindfulness, and the willingness to fully immerse yourself in a moment. Sometimes calm and meditative, sometimes spontaneous and intuitive — but always deeply human.

His long connection with Rajasthan also led him to support a social project in Pushkar. Together with members of the local nomadic community, he helped establish a small school for children in the area. Through these close relationships, participants gain access to communities and ways of life that remain hidden to most travelers.

JODHPUR – THE BLUE CITY
ARRIVE. IMMERSE. LEARN TO SEE.

Fri, March 12
Individual arrival in Delhi, possibly on the same flight.

Sat, March 13
Check-in for the domestic flight (departure at 1:45 PM), continuing onward to Jodhpur — the Blue City.

Arrival in Jodhpur in the late afternoon. Time to settle in and acclimatize.

Sun, March 14 – Wed, March 17 | Departure towards Pushkar at 9:00 AM

Our first walk together leads through the winding alleys of Jodhpur’s old town — the blue city of the Brahmins.

You will stay at Pal Haveli, a former princely palace located directly at the Clock Tower in the heart of the old city. Your first walks immediately immerse you in narrow streets, shifting light, voices, and the vibrant life of Jodhpur.

But Jodhpur does not reveal itself at first glance — it opens only through access and trust. Together with local guides, you will discover hidden courtyards, rooftops, special places, and people who offer insight into authentic local life.

Photography here is created through closeness: spontaneous encounters, real situations, and creative assignments that challenge you to develop your own perspective and actively engage with people.

Lunch in the Blue City, followed by free photographic work or guided urban photography assignments.

In the evenings, intensive image reviews in a calm atmosphere — honest, direct, and educational.

Jodhpur is a city that slowly reveals itself to those who truly observe.

Tue, March 16

Today the workshop takes you to a village outside Jodhpur: unfiltered encounters, real everyday scenes, and moments that are not staged — but simply happen. We stay overnight in traditional mud huts and spend time with the family during their evening routines.

Wed, March 17 | 9:00 AM Departure for Pushkar

Wed, March 17 – Sat, March 20 | 11:00 AM train towards Mathura

After a relaxed journey, we arrive in Pushkar — one of India’s most spiritual cities. Our hotel is located directly by the lake, in the middle of the old town, surrounded by ghats, rituals, and a unique quiet intensity.

After arrival, there is time to breathe: lunch together in a traditional courtyard, followed by a free afternoon for exploring, observing, or simply immersing yourself in life around the sacred lake.

In the evening, a special highlight awaits: a shared oil-lamp photography session by the lake — reflections, light, and a calm, almost meditative atmosphere.

Another highlight is meeting Morya Sapera, Kalbeliya dancer and founder of a local school. Through her work, we gain access to people, projects, and ways of life that normally remain hidden — authentic, intimate, and unposed.

In the evening, we head into the desert by camel cart, into vast silence and perhaps music or dance beneath the open sky — an intense photographic experience.

For early risers, the final Pushkar moment begins at the ghats in the first light of day. Afterwards: image selection, editing, and group discussions.

On March 20, we leave Pushkar around 10:00 AM and continue our journey in a way that becomes part of the photographic experience itself: by train.

Indian train journeys are far more than transportation — they are a window into everyday life. Landscapes, small stations, fleeting encounters, and countless stories pass by outside the compartment. Between tea vendors, conversations, and the rhythmic movement of the rails, those unexpected moments often arise that make a journey unforgettable.

After arriving in Bharatpur, a short 30-minute drive takes us onward to Mathura. In this way, the quiet spirituality of Pushkar merges with the vibrant energy of one of North India’s holiest places — another exciting chapter of our photographic journey.

HOLI – COLOUR, CHAOS & CONTROLLED ECSTASY

Sat, March 20 Arrival – Tue, March 23 Departure to Delhi

Preparation & Introduction

Tomorrow Holi begins — and you should be ready. After a long journey, we arrive in Mathura and immediately immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of the upcoming festival.

The Day Before Holi – First Encounter

Early in the morning, we visit the Dwarkadeesh Temple. Even on the way there, Holi begins: clouds of colored powder, the first movements of the festival, and your first orientation within the chaos.

Inside the temple, you experience the first intense contact with the festival — almost like a rehearsal for the next day, yet already full of energy, color, and density.

Photography here demands complete focus: protecting your camera, reacting quickly, making clear decisions within chaos.

After the intense morning, we return to the hotel for showers, rest, and image reviews in the evening.

Main Festival – The Longest Day

An early start before sunrise. Two locations, one continuous wave of intensity: Barsana in the morning, followed by the Holi festival at Dwarkadeesh Temple in Mathura.

There is no distance anymore. Color, movement, music, and people merge into one uncontrolled space. You move directly within it — with clear assignments, but no control over what happens.

Masks, equipment protection, and physical endurance become essential. Your camera becomes a tool within the storm of color.

In the afternoon, return to the hotel: showers, exhaustion, silence. Afterwards: image sorting, selection, and first evaluations.

In the evening, dinner together and an intensive image review — a day unlike any other.

Aftermath – Dauji Festival

The following morning brings another highlight: Dauji. Again sun, again color — this time slightly more observational, yet still incredibly intense.

Conditions are extreme: heat, crowds, compressed color powder in the air — physically demanding and photographically challenging. Timing and awareness determine your images.

In the afternoon, we return to the hotel. After hours of colors, noise, and nonstop impressions, there is time to shower, rest, and breathe. Cameras are cleaned, first images reviewed, and the experiences begin to settle. In the evening, we gather again in a relaxed atmosphere.

Important Notes for Holi

The final days of the journey revolve entirely around Holi — one of India’s most intense, colorful, and visually spectacular experiences. We attend several of the most famous celebrations in Mathura, Barsana, and Dauji, moving directly within the action.

Clothing
We recommend bringing a separate set of clothes that can permanently stain during Holi.
These clothes will be worn multiple times and can later be discarded.
A hat or cap for sun protection is recommended.
Simple flip-flops are ideal, as shoes must be removed before entering temples.

Photography Equipment
Special protective covers for cameras are essential.
Colored powder and water are extremely hard on equipment — regular cleaning of cameras and lenses is necessary.
Bring enough spare batteries and memory cards.
For creative portrait sessions, we will also work with black backgrounds and reflectors.

Health & Safety
Plan for at least two protective masks per Holi day.
Sunscreen, head covering, and plenty of water are essential.
Protective glasses can help against strong color powder.

Temple & Festival Rules
Shoes, bags, and backpacks are not allowed inside temples.
Before the main festival, we experience a preparation day to learn the flow, access points, and photographic possibilities, ensuring we are fully prepared for the upcoming festival days.

Special Notes
In Mathura and Barsana, we will sometimes be in extremely dense crowds.
The monkeys in Mathura are known for stealing glasses, mobile phones, and loose objects.
For selected events, we will have access to special photography positions and elevated viewpoints.

Holi is not an ordinary photography journey. It is a unique immersion into color, emotion, movement, and photographic challenge — with moments that can only be experienced once a year.

AGRA – LIGHT, GRANDEUR & MOGUL-SYMMETRY

Wed, March 24 – Thu, March 25

After breakfast on March 24, we leave the Braj region and continue toward Agra.

The landscape and rhythm shift once again — from the intense energy of Holi toward a city where history is written in stone.

In Agra, we experience the grandeur of the Mughal era in its most iconic form. Visiting the Taj Mahal is one of the central highlights of the journey — its perfect symmetry, luminous marble, and ever-changing light create a monument that feels both monumental and surprisingly intimate. We take the time to experience this place not simply as a landmark, but as an atmosphere of light, detail, and quiet presence beyond the familiar image.

Optionally, there is also the opportunity to visit the impressive Agra Fort — a massive fortress complex with vast courtyards, powerful walls, and remarkable views that deepen the historical experience of the city.

We remain in Agra until midday on March 25 and use the morning for final photographic explorations and a calm conclusion to this chapter before continuing onward to Delhi.

The journey to Delhi marks not merely a change of location, but a transition — from Agra’s architectural grandeur into the layered, pulsating energy of India’s capital, where the final chapter of the journey begins.

DELHI – HISTORY, CONTRASTS & URBAN DENSITY

Thu, March 25 Evening – Sat, March 27

Your journey ends where many of India’s stories begin: in Delhi — a city where centuries coexist side by side within the same streets.

You will stay at the extraordinary Haveli Dharampura, a lovingly restored UNESCO-recognized heritage haveli in the heart of Old Delhi, only steps away from the magnificent Jama Masjid. From the moment you arrive, the city surrounds you with layers of history, architecture, sound, and human energy.

A guided heritage walk leads deep into the labyrinth of Old Delhi. Through narrow alleys, hidden courtyards, vibrant markets, and centuries-old neighborhoods, you discover a city that remains invisible to most visitors. The streets themselves become a stage for life — a constant interplay of faith, trade, craftsmanship, and daily rhythm.

Photography here grows from observation and patience. Light falling across historic facades, fleeting encounters between merchants and customers, colorful markets, quiet moments of devotion, and the endless rhythm of the old city create images filled with atmosphere and depth.

The final day remains intentionally open. No schedule, no assignments — only time to follow your own curiosity. Wander through the alleys around Jama Masjid, discover local markets, hidden rooftops, small tea houses, or simply observe the life unfolding around you. Often, the strongest images emerge when nothing is planned.

In the evening, we come together for image reviews, conversations, and reflection. Together, we look not only at photographs, but also at the experiences, encounters, and perspectives from which they emerged.

Delhi is not an endpoint — but a reminder that India always leaves stories waiting to be discovered.

Departure | Sun, March 28

Breakfast. Departure by bus to the airport at 11:00 AM.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Climate & Clothing
March in Rajasthan usually brings warm temperatures and sunny weather, so pack light and simple.
Light, breathable clothing
A light sweater or thin jacket for air-conditioned rooms and evenings
Comfortable sandals or lightweight shoes
Optional light rain jacket
Less is more: most participants travel comfortably with carry-on or light luggage only.
Clothing can easily be washed at the hotels and usually dries within a few hours due to the warm temperatures.

Valuables & Money
We recommend carrying approximately €300 in cash as a reserve.
Credit or debit card
Money belt or hidden pouch for crowded areas

Tips

For drivers, local helpers, and guides, plan approximately €80 per person in total tips.

Price

17-day Photography Workshop Rajasthan, Holi, Agra & Delhi from March, 12th to March, 28.
€ 4,200 per person (from/to Delhi)

For Booking this Workshop or any questions, please contact me.

Included

All hotel accommodations with breakfast
Domestic flight Delhi – Jodhpur
Train ticket to Mathura
All local transfers and transportation
Lunch and dinner throughout the entire journey
Daily mineral water
All entrance fees
All photographic special programs
Local guides and contacts in Jodhpur, Pushkar, Agra & Delhi
Models and organized photo sessions
Image reviews and photographic guidance throughout the journey

Not Included
International flights to/from Delhi
Indian e-visa
Personal expenses and additional drinks
Tips (approx. €80)

Booking & Payment Schedule
40% deposit upon invoicing
60% final payment before departure
We recommend purchasing travel cancellation insurance immediately after booking.