On October 6, I arrived in the town of Churu on a train from Delhi. The nature there is arid, but that day the town was flooded by rain. Wading ankle-deep in water, loaded like a camel, I reached a guesthouse, I had discovered on Google Maps, found out they had no wifi, but still paid for two nights - just to finally fall onto the bed and have a nap - the night was sleepless before the trip. I thought of seeing the town the next day and then leave.
Exactly in this state, one could find me in room 102 of Ashirwad Guesthouse in the late afternoon on October 6.
As for the photo of the dogs, it was taken on October 8, 2025, when I headed for my second walk around Churu. By that time, life had improved - they gave me access to a secret wifi network, and the guesthouse staff turned out to be truly kind people. So I stayed longer.
For those who are from Churu: I was strolling along Narai Sarak to the North, intending to turn onto "Bazaar Street", leading to White Clock Tower and Churu Fort.
Yes, this is one special thing about India - people want to be photographed, mostly children and young men. In Churu, few speak English, except for "what's your name" and "where are you from", but the language of gestures is universal.
The boy above liked the car, he glanced around a little to check if the owner was near, and sat on the hood for this staged shot in the Dubai dream style.
I myself can also stop people and ask to photograph them. Why? For example, if I see that they want it, but are shy to ask - like these boys.
Without consent:
Indian Hogwarts in full dress, lol! A quidditch match is about to start! :D
These are the city cleaners, marching in full parade.
Rajasthani women wear red, and… it is just fire for photography.
Dogs... There are many of them in Churu. This one is obviously a decent house dog, not allowed to mix with street mongrels, so it won’t get fleas, ticks, and all kinds of infections, but even a dog in a golden cage stays a dog - a restless, nasty creature, barking from the rooftop at passers-by just for the fun of swearing in dog language, lol. "Furk, furk, furk, furk you all, humans and animals, furk!!" 😀
This is already the old town, near the White Clock Tower. One of the famous painted mansions (havelis) of Churu. Love how the past wildly interweaves with the present.
Probably a father and son, posing for me at their family shop. One day, the boy will inherit his father’s business, and then his grandchildren will keep selling chips and peanuts... I am ironic, but... in India, the ghost of desperate poverty hovers over everyone, and a family shop is like salt and iron against it - a good protection against the destiny of living in a dump under a plastic awning somewhere in Delhi.
A fabric seller with a small cup of tea with milk. Pure street photo - no one posed for me, just like here:
Rajasthani ladies selling kitchenware. I lowered the camera to stomach level and framed through the screen. I was noticed and looked at with suspicion. The orange lady raised the tongs, and I retreated, unwilling to learn what those erected tongs meant, lol.
In Churu they use carts to carry goods - in this industry, horses work, and donkeys too, and even a camel. The last one is the happiest; the other animals look sad from this work. But, at least, this man loves his little horse - look at the decoration and the tenderness of the hug.
There is a habit among Indians - to suggest photographing other people. Like, "hey, take a photo of this person - see how he is carrying the sacks, haha." This is one of those cases. The man didn't want but... I already pushed the button. 🙂
Here everything is clear - wild, horned love. And better to keep a distance from these mad lovers.
Then I turned into the alleys to go to the havelis' area - the famous Churu mansions, decorated with paintings. And I got caught in a whirl of schoolchildren - apparently, their classes had just finished at that moment.
It was like... I end photographing one group - and a new one appears...
I finish taking photos, get their contacts to send the pictures through social media, when suddenly new teenagers emerge, lol.
Fun, but it was time to return to the hotel, and a few boys accompanied me.
This one knew English, was asking non-trivial questions, and protecting me from street dogs (I didn’t ask, but I couldn’t refuse the pleasure of saving a foreigner from stray mutts, lol). A young man with ideals and principles who dreams of opening a yoga institute. I believe he'll succeed.
The photos were taken with a Nikkor 50mm on a full-frame DSLR Nikon D750 in October 8, 2025, in Churu, Rajasthan, India.
