STREET PHOTOGRAPHY FROM MUMBAI AND BEYOND

India is the land of festivals. Thanks to its size, there is immense variety in the way religious events are celebrated in different parts of the country. Dussehra, for example, is celebrated completely differently whether you are in West Bengal, Gujarat or Delhi. 

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One of the most unique ways in which this festival is celebrated happens in Kulasekharapatanam village of Tamil Nadu.

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Taking place at the Sri Mutharamman Temple, this festival has a range of unique and notable rituals such as:

• Body Paint and Costumes: Devotees paint their bodies and dress up as various deities, including Goddess Lalithambigai. This colorful practice symbolizes their devotion and connection to the divine.

• Fire Walking: A daring ritual where devotees walk barefoot over a bed of burning embers. It signifies their faith and fearlessness, as they believe the goddess protects them from harm.

• Kavadi Attam: Devotees carry kavadis (ornate wooden or metal structures) on their shoulders, adorned with flowers and peacock feathers. They dance energetically to rhythmic beats, expressing their gratitude and seeking blessings.

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Here are a few images I took during this incredible festival while conducting a workshop there.