Indian Photographer Wins Travel Photographer 2025 Award In Culture Category

India is celebrating a significant triumph on the international stage of travel photography, as an evocative image from rural Maharashtra has propelled an Indian photographer into the global spotlight. Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade has been crowned a winner at the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards 2025, earning widespread acclaim for his powerful portrayal of the sacred Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage.

Bade secured the coveted Single Image title in the Culture, Heritage & Beliefs category, capturing the profound spiritual essence of one of Maharashtra's most cherished and deeply rooted spiritual journeys. His winning photograph not only highlights a moment of collective devotion but also brings India's rich cultural tapestry to the forefront of global recognition.

The annual TPOTY competition, now in its 22nd year, solidifies its position as one of the world's most respected showcases for travel imagery. The 2025 edition saw an overwhelming response, receiving over 20,000 entries from an impressive 157 countries and representing 56 distinct nationalities. This global participation underscores the competition's reach and its role in unearthing extraordinary talent from every corner of the world.

The TPOTY Awards are renowned for their rigorous and impartial judging process. For over two decades, the competition has championed excellence in travel photography, welcoming submissions from both amateur and professional photographers. Judging is conducted anonymously, with stringent rules in place to maintain integrity. Notably, the use of generative AI is strictly prohibited, and photographers are required to provide RAW files (or equivalent JPEGs) for final verification. An international panel of experts meticulously sifts through thousands of submissions, selecting images that not only possess technical brilliance but also tell compelling stories. Prizes for winners include substantial cash awards, advanced imaging software, and coveted photography expeditions, such as six trips to Sri Lanka for this year's top talents.

Bade's award-winning photograph masterfully captures a vibrant moment of collective celebration during the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage, an extraordinary annual foot journey undertaken by millions of Warkaris. Shot from a distinctive low angle, the image draws the viewer into the heart of the action, focusing on two men performing a traditional stick-dance, their figures silhouetted against an expansive, dramatic sky. A semi-circle of fellow pilgrims is captured clapping along, their faces reflecting the fervent spirit of the occasion.

Describing his artistic vision, Bade explained, "Their clothes are smeared with mud, symbolising the earthy, devotional spirit of the journey." He further elaborated that the wider frame beautifully encapsulates a blend of unwavering devotion, boundless energy, and profound cultural richness – qualities that are intrinsic to the millennium-old Wari tradition. The technical details reveal the precision behind the shot: a Nikon Z9 camera, 35mm lens, f/5.6 aperture, 1/4s shutter speed, and ISO 800, all contributing to the captivating result. Expressing his excitement on social media, Bade conveyed feeling "overwhelmed" by the recognition, extending his gratitude to friends, supporters, and the esteemed TPOTY jury for this momentous honour.

Beyond India's stellar achievement, the TPOTY Awards 2025 celebrated exceptional talent from across the globe, showcasing diverse narratives and breathtaking visuals:

• Overall Winner: Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 – Athanasios Maloukos, Greece. Maloukos received the top honour for two compelling bodies of work. His lens captured the solemn Holy Week processions in Zamora, Spain, alongside the mesmerising Sema ceremony of whirling dervishes in Konya, Turkey. Shot with masterful control in low-light conditions, his series artfully balances dynamic blur with moments of profound stillness, creating a truly immersive experience.
• Travel Image of the Year – Dana Allen, United States. Allen claimed this prestigious title with a profoundly dramatic photograph of a bull elephant. Shrouded in a thick cloud of dust, the magnificent creature's single visible eye emerges powerfully from the swirling haze, conveying both raw power and enigmatic presence.
• Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 – Jamie Smart, United Kingdom. Jamie Smart, a talent from the UK, was recognised for her sensitively crafted portfolio dedicated to flying foxes, also known as fruit bats. Her collection skillfully blends intimate close-up scenes captured within a zoo hospital in Beerwah, Queensland, with striking images of these fascinating bats soaring freely in their natural habitat. The series was particularly lauded for its thoughtful observation and its insightful contrast between dedicated wildlife care and uninhibited natural behaviour.
• Portfolio Winner: Adventures & Experiences – Sara Bardotti, Italy. Italian photographer Sara Bardotti earned the Adventures & Experiences award for her stark black-and-white portfolio. Her powerful images capture the demanding, often harsh, work of Nenet fishermen on the Siberian tundra. Bardotti's photographs meticulously spotlight hands, bodies, and constant movement as these resilient fishermen labour in severe sub-zero temperatures. The surrounding landscape, rendered harsh and almost anonymous, recedes into the background, allowing the sheer physical intensity and indomitable resilience of her subjects to dominate each frame.

The 2025 TPOTY winners collectively paint a vivid picture of the diversity of global travel stories, spanning from India's profound spiritual traditions to Europe's rich cultural rituals and Africa's captivating wildlife encounters. These awards not only celebrate individual photographic excellence but also underscore the power of travel photography to inform, inspire, and connect audiences worldwide with the beauty and complexity of our shared planet.