Mother and Child

Mother and Child

A little lamb follows along

 The little lamb enjoys lunch over play

Participating in: Camera Critters and Wordless Wednesday

Divine Power, Lord Ganesh - Portrait 4

Divine Power of Lord Ganesh - Portrait 4

Participating for: Our World Tuesday SOOC Monday, The Creative Exchange and Texture Tuesday        

The Bare Tree

The Bare Tree - when the leaves, leave!

This was a featured photograph for the Monochrome Maniacs Meme Weekly Challenge - week 7th October 2011.

Participating in: Monochrome Maniacs , Shades of Autumn and Tina's PicStory               

The Divine Power of Lord Ganesh

The Divine Power of Lord Ganesh

Volunteers having Fun at Ganesh Chaturthi Visarjan

Volunteers having Fun at Ganesh Chaturthi Visarjan - Volunteers throw each other and splash each other in water

Splash!

 Time for a water ride

Splashed!

Participating for: Our World Tuesday

We are Family!

A family that eats together, stays together - A family has a quiet lunch in the afternoon under the shade of a tree. Another man sits watches in solitude.

Band of Boys

Band of Boys

 Dancing to the drum beats during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi

 Band members have a good time during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ready to Offer Prayers - Pooja Thali

Ready to Offer Prayers - Pooja Thali - A plate, which would be used for prayers, is set with coconut, joss sticks, lamp, bell and leaves

Contributed for  - SOOC Sunday and Earth Wonders    

Playful Kids

Playful Kids - These kids were having fun in the rains and the Ganesh Chaturthi Visarjan celebrations. Seeing me take a few pictures, they insisted on getting one of themselves as well. The lad in the centre was a total dude; evident! 

Participating for: I Heart Faces 

Visarjan During Ganesh Chaturthi - 2

Visarjan During Ganesh Chaturthi - 2

Volunteers take the Ganesh idol deeper in water for immersion on a plank

Before the immersion as part of the ritual, volunteers chant prayers while they rotate the Ganesh idol

Volunteers now shift their weight to one side of so that the idol can be immersed into the water

Ganpati Bappa Moriya Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar yaa - Oh Lord Ganpati, return soon next year

Visarjan During Ganesh Chaturthi - 1

Visarjan During Ganesh Chaturthi - 1

Volunteers take the Ganesh idol deeper in water for immersion

Before the immersion as part of the ritual, volunteers chant prayers while they rotate the Ganesh idol

Volunteers are also seen take the Ganesh idol for immersion on a wooden plank. Here they make frantic gestures to get going.

Volunteers join in to push the wooden plank as they take the Ganesh idol deeper in water for immersion

Divine Power, Lord Ganesh - Portrait 3

Divine Power of Lord Ganesh - Portrait 3

Like I mentioned earlier, notice that the big idol is accompanied by a smaller idol. The small idol, known as the 'utsav moorti' bears the essence of divinity and is the one that is actually worshipped. On the other hand, the larger idol is mainly used to draw in the crowds at the mandals.

Aarti before Visarjan

Aarti before Visarjan - Devotees recite prayers, before the immersions during Ganesh Chaturthi

Horses, and their Food on the Go!

Horses, and their Food on the Go - Horses eat from the sacks tied around their neck while they walk to their next destination

Celebrations of a Child

At the time when India is fighting another battle of Independence being led by Anna Hazare and Team India desperately fighting to save a 4-0 whitewash against England, here's a walk down memory lane during times of celebrations of a major win. A young boy celebrated India's 2011 World Cup win by dancing on his car, doing a Sourav Ganguly!

Himalayan Yaks - Roped and Pained

Yaks - Usually used for Domestic and transportaion purposes, double up as photographed animals and for joy rides in peak tourism seasons

Participating for: ABC Wednesday   

Happy and Free - A Black and White Photograph

Happy and Free - savouring a life away from the hustle

Participating in: Monochrome Maniacs    

Anxiety and Excitement - A New Begining

An Indian (Punjabi/Hindu) wedding ritual, known as til vale, tilappa or til methre, where the newly wed bride exchanges fistful of sesame seeds with her new family members for prosperity and harmony.

Participating for: ABC Wednesday and Tina's PicStory    

Joy and Hope - A Black and White Portrait

Joy and Hope - A B/W Portrait

Participating for: Capturing Beauty and I-Heart-Faces