Indian Photographer Brings Global Recognition with Culture Category Win at TPOTY 2025
Indian Photographer Brings Global Recognition with Culture Category Win at TPOTY 2025
India has once again made its mark on the international photography map, this time through a powerful visual story rooted in faith and tradition. At the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards 2025, Indian photographer Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade clinched the Single Image award in the Culture, Heritage & Beliefs category, earning worldwide admiration for his compelling photograph from rural Maharashtra.
The award-winning image captures the essence of the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage, one of the state’s most revered and centuries-old spiritual journeys. Bade’s photograph stood out among thousands of global entries, placing him firmly in the international spotlight.
About the Travel Photographer of the Year Awards
Now in its 22nd year, the TPOTY Awards are regarded as one of the most respected platforms in travel photography. The 2025 edition attracted entries from 157 countries, with winning photographers representing 56 different nationalities. Open to both amateur and professional photographers, the competition celebrates diverse stories from around the world through the lens.
The judging process follows strict standards. All submissions are reviewed anonymously, the use of generative AI is strictly banned, and shortlisted photographers are required to submit RAW files or corresponding JPEGs for verification. With over 20,000 entries received this year, a panel of international judges selected exceptional images across multiple categories. Winners received cash prizes, professional imaging software, and six photography expeditions to Sri Lanka.
The Winning Photograph
Bade’s celebrated photograph portrays a vibrant moment during the Pandharpur Wari, an annual walking pilgrimage undertaken by lakhs of Warkaris. Shot from a low-angle perspective, the image shows two men performing a traditional stick dance, framed dramatically against an open sky. Around them, a semicircle of fellow pilgrims clap in rhythm, adding to the sense of shared joy and devotion.
Explaining the visual details, Bade noted that “the mud-stained clothes reflect the grounded and devotional nature of the pilgrimage,” adding that the overall composition brings together spirituality, movement and cultural depth — elements that have defined the Wari tradition for nearly a thousand years.
Technical details:
Nikon Z9 · 35mm · f/5.6 · 1/4s · ISO 800
A Moment of Pride
Taking to Instagram after the announcement, Bade shared that he felt “deeply moved and humbled by the honour”, expressing gratitude to his friends, well-wishers and the TPOTY jury for recognising his work.
This achievement not only highlights Bade’s artistic vision but also shines a global light on India’s rich cultural heritage. Through a single frame, his photograph tells a timeless story of faith, community and tradition — reminding the world of the power of images to bridge cultures and celebrate human spirit.
