Captivating Portraits of Indian Women Show Beauty Across Generations

A young Hindu pilgrim making an offering on the Ganges River, in Varanasi. The city is considered by many the spiritual capital of India.

On special occasions, students in Mumbai will attend their college lessons dressed in traditional outfits.

The Parsis are descended from Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to India more than 1,000 years ago. Most of them, like this young woman, live in close-knit communities around beautiful Zoroastrian temples. They preserve their ancient beliefs, but are also very successful and integrated into modern society.

The picturesque trains of India transport around seven billion passengers around the country every year.

In a few months she will give birth to her first baby. After marriage most Indian women move to live at their parents-in-law house.

It’s very common to see policewomen on the streets of India.

Dharavi — on the outskirts of Mumbai — is the largest slum in the world. Its narrow alleyways are inhabited by many warm-hearted people.

Traditional clothes are very popular in India, but there are lots of women who dress in modern outfits, especially in big cities like Delhi.

A Sikh woman at the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. Many followers of sikhism never cut their hair, covering it with a turban. They always wear the kirpan, which is a short dagger symbolizing a Sikh’s duty to come to the defense of those in peril.

Each morning this girl comes from her small village, to the city of Varanasi. She sells things at the market with her family.

Islam has more than 170 million followers in India.

A fashion designer from Chennai, visiting the beaches of Goa.

Kalbelia woman at the Pushkar Camel Fair. Until recently, the Kalbelias were known for catching snakes and trading venom. Their famous dance replicates the movements of a serpent.

This woman from Mumbai will turn 100 next year. Imagine, a century of Indian history seen through these beautiful eyes.

Since her childhood, she has lived in a small tent in Mumbai. Her father died when she was young, but her brave mother, who sells things at the market, has kept her in school through great effort.

India has more than 2,000 ethnic groups, like this Marathi young woman from Nashik.

Goa used to be a Portuguese colony and has a great number of churches. This photograph was taken during a Christian wedding.

Rajasthani women are famous all over India for their amazing outfits.

A deaf-mute girl expressing the word “friendship” through sign language.

Mumbai — the biggest city of India — hosts ethnic groups from all over the country. This Tamil girl is attending a celebration after 40 days of fasting.