BRIDES OF KRISHNA (2003-2005)

Despite social reforms, the position of widows in India is abominable. Often they are cast out by their family, who regard them as guilty of their husband’s death. Moreover, in some Indian states they are expected to shave their heads, dress like a ghost in a white sari, and live out their lives in poverty. Often they travel to the holy cities, which as seen as the links between heaven and earth. Dying there offers a chance to break through the cycle of reincarnation and achieve moksha, spiritual liberation. For instance, there are more than 3000 widows in the holy city of Vrindvan. They live packed into small rooms, without water or electricity. They try to make a living singing daily in temples devoted to the Hindu god Krishna, often for eight hours at a time. The temples receive large gifts, the windows only a pittance, so that the BRIDES OF KRISHNA (2003-2005) have to beg to supplement their income.