Fotoreproductie van Bénarès door Jean Baptiste Robie before 1885

This is a photograph of Bénarès, taken by Alexandre, likely in the late 19th century. The spires of temples punctuate the horizon, evoking a deep sense of spiritual aspiration. These architectural forms are not isolated; they echo similar structures found across cultures. Think of the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia or the Gothic cathedrals of Europe, all reaching towards the heavens. This impulse to build upwards seems to be ingrained in the human psyche. Now, consider the symbolism of the spire itself. In many traditions, it represents the axis mundi, the center of the world, a point of connection between the earthly and the divine. It is as if the collective unconscious is driving humanity to construct these monuments. A powerful yearning for transcendence speaks through this image, connecting the viewer to a timeless, shared human experience.