Indian Photographer Wins Travel Photographer 2025 Award In Culture Category

In a moment of immense national pride, India has once again shone brightly on the international stage, with an evocative photograph from rural Maharashtra securing a top honour at the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards 2025. Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade has been awarded the coveted Single Image title in the Culture, Heritage & Beliefs category, captivating judges with his powerful depiction of the historic Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage.

Bade’s winning shot freezes a vibrant moment from the Pandharpur Wari, an annual spiritual journey undertaken by millions of devotees, known as Warkaris, in Maharashtra. The image, captured from a unique low angle, showcases two men engaged in a traditional stick-dance, their figures silhouetted against an expansive, dramatic sky. Around them, a semicircle of fellow pilgrims claps in rhythmic unison, their faces alight with devotion and joy. The artist noted that the mud-smeared clothes of the dancers symbolize the deep, earthy, and devotional spirit that defines this millennium-old tradition.

This year’s TPOTY competition, celebrating its 22nd anniversary, reaffirmed its status as one of the world's most distinguished platforms for travel photography. The 2025 edition saw an overwhelming response, receiving over 20,000 entries from 157 countries, representing the diverse talents of 56 nationalities. The awards are renowned for their rigorous and anonymous judging process, ensuring fairness and focusing solely on the artistic merit of the submissions. A strict prohibition on generative AI and the mandatory submission of RAW files for final evaluation underscore the competition’s commitment to authenticity in photography. Prizes for winners included substantial cash awards, advanced imaging software, and six exclusive photography trips to Sri Lanka.

Sharing his elation on social media, Bade expressed being “overwhelmed” by the international recognition, extending his gratitude to his supporters, friends, and the discerning TPOTY jury for acknowledging his work.

Beyond India’s triumph, the TPOTY Awards 2025 celebrated a remarkable array of talent from across the globe, showcasing diverse narratives through the lens:

Overall Winner: Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 - Athanasios Maloukos, Greece

Greek photographer Athanasios Maloukos clinched the top honour with two compelling bodies of work. His portfolios masterfully documented solemn Holy Week processions in Zamora, Spain, and the mesmerizing Sema ceremony performed by whirling dervishes in Konya, Turkey. Maloukos's distinct style, characterized by a skillful balance of blur and stillness within low-light settings, brought these profound cultural rituals to life, earning him the prestigious overall title.

Travel Image of the Year - Dana Allen, US

The title of Travel Image of the Year was awarded to American photographer Dana Allen for a breathtaking and dramatic photograph. His image features a majestic bull elephant, almost entirely enveloped in a swirling cloud of dust, with only a single, powerful eye piercing through the hazy shroud. The photograph is a testament to the raw beauty and formidable presence of African wildlife.

Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 - Jamie Smart, UK

From the United Kingdom, Jamie Smart was recognized as the Young Travel Photographer of the Year for her exquisitely crafted portfolio focusing on flying foxes, also known as fruit bats. Her series beautifully contrasted intimate scenes captured inside a zoo hospital in Beerwah, Queensland, with striking images of these bats in free flight within their natural habitats. The judges lauded her work for its sensitive observation and its compelling narrative exploring both wildlife care and natural behaviour.

Portfolio Winner: Adventures & Experiences - Sara Bardotti, Italy

Italian photographer Sara Bardotti earned the Adventures & Experiences award for her stark and powerful black-and-white portfolio. Her images meticulously document the demanding lives of Nenet fishermen enduring the harsh conditions of the Siberian tundra. Bardotti's photographs focus intensely on hands, bodies, and constant motion, highlighting the arduous labour performed in severe sub-zero temperatures. The almost anonymous, unforgiving landscape in her shots serves to amplify the incredible physical intensity and resilience of her subjects.

The TPOTY Awards for 2025 have once again underscored the profound ability of travel photography to tell diverse global stories, from India's ancient spiritual traditions to Europe's cultural rituals and Africa’s stunning wildlife encounters. These winning images not only celebrate photographic excellence but also invite viewers on a visual journey across continents, bridging cultures and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the world’s rich tapestry of life.