Important Notice

Currently placed amongst India's best known in the field of photography, Prashant Panjiar started out on what was to become his career in photography in Pune with a portfolio of industrial shots.

In this photograph, part of his critically acclaimed Kings and Commoners suite of works, Panjiar has captured Kashi Naresh or the titular ruler of Varanasi, Maharaja Vibhuti Narain Singh, crossing the Ganges to the Ramnagar Fort after attending... Currently placed amongst India's best known in the field of photography, Prashant Panjiar started out on what was to become his career in photography in Pune with a portfolio of industrial shots.

In this photograph, part of his critically acclaimed Kings and Commoners suite of works, Panjiar has captured Kashi Naresh or the titular ruler of Varanasi, Maharaja Vibhuti Narain Singh, crossing the Ganges to the Ramnagar Fort after attending the Naag-Nathaiya festival at the city's famed Tulsi Ghat. Although he was stripped of all his executive powers following India's independence in 1947, Kashi Naresh continued to hold the position of Chancellor of Benares Hindu University, and was revered by the local population as the head of the Royal House of Benares. Accorded the status of a living God, and believed to be a descendant of Lord Shiva, the Maharaja was the last officially recognised ruler of the Brahmin Kingdom of Kashi. He passed away in 2000, and was succeeded by his son, Anant Narain Singh, seen standing behind him in this image.

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