SunDown 2011 - Music Festival, Mumbai

SunDown 2011 - Music Festival, Mumbai

Mumbai doesn't need reasons to party, just an opportunity and location! Sunday 11th December 2011 saw party goers gather at a suburban nightclub, Aurus in Juhu for the 2011 SunDown Fest that featured French Artists dOP along with Bhavishyavani Sounds. They played electronica, house and techno and were immensely popular with the crowds because this was their second outing in Mumbai.


I had the opportunity to shoot for the event; here are a few pictures from SunDown 2011. 


The setup was brilliant; some very interesting projections against the backdrop of Juhu Beach. The kickoff was timed to perfection with the event name, SunDown!

The crowds came in early...

And built up by the minute...

And a few took time off to see what I thankfully didn't miss; the fascinating sunset at Juhu Beach. Mumbai has so much to offer to people. People enjoy simple walks on the beach, little strolls in the water and even a game of cricket. The thing though that hit me the most is the stark difference in lifestyles on either side of the wall.

While some would have called it a day, for the others, the party has just started!

Participating for: SkyWatch Friday, Best Post of the Week, FPOTW Contest, Scenic Sunday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Mosaic Monday, Tina's PicStory, Blue Monday       

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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        

Volunteers at Visarjan

Volunteers atVisarjan - The men who mattered the most during the visarjan, immersions, during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. And this bunch refused tips. Hats off and thank you!

Participating for: SOCC Sunday

The Beat of the Dhol

The Beat of the Dhol - A drum being played on the streets of Mumbai during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival

Participating for: ABC Wednesday

The Balloon Man

The Balloon Man - A balloon man takes shelter from the rain while he worked harder to make extra sales during the visarjan (immersions) of Lord Ganesh

Participating for: Our World Tuesday

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

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

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

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!