From wandering souls to sacred sanctuaries.

The first two photos are portraits of strays encountered in Goa.

In the western Indian state of Gujarat, a refuge like no other on the planet thrives under the patronage of the billionaire Ambani family. This privately-run wildlife rescue center is not a place of spectacle but of salvation, where creatures in distress are nurtured back to life.

Tigers, leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and countless other beings – wild and domestic – find solace here, far from the prying eyes of crowds and cameras. For once, here is wealth spent not on indulgence, but on a noble endeavour.

This extraordinary sanctuary, Vantara, embodies the ancient Hindu ethos, where animals are revered as co-inhabitants of the Earth. It evokes the spirit of Lord Shiva as Pashupatinath, the Protector of All Living Beings, whose compassion extends equally to all creatures great and small.

Watch the sanctuary come to life in the video below – a testament to India’s timeless philosophy, where true wealth is measured by the care we extend to all sentient beings.