Submission

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

India | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | 5 photos

This is Chandaneswar of Orisa in India. Chandaneswar is one of the names of Lord Shib, the Hindu deity. This place was named after the temple of Chandaneswar.

In the middle of April, the ending date of the month of ‘Choitro’, the last month of Indian calendar, a unique festival happened at Chandaneswar in the name of Lod Shib.

The month of ‘Choitro’ specially dedicated to Lord Shib. The devotees of Lord Shib usually maintained restricted life style at this month in the name of God. On the last day of ‘Choitro’ a thousand of people gathered at the courtyard of Chandaneswar temple. They submitted their prayer to God in different ways. Many of them moved surrounding the temple shouting the name of God as a common ritual. In most of the time whole family of the devotees were engaged in this activities (Photo-1). At the same time, a large number of people cannot get entry into the temple due to excessive rush. They worship in front of the idol of Lord Shib with the help of priest (Photo-2).

On the other hand, somebody choose the way of submission to God through self-torture. They perforated their body or tongue with iron needle (Photo-3) or carry the fire for a few miles (Photo-4). A large number of dedicated devotees were engaged to perform such custom (Photo-5).

About me- I am an amateur photographer who like to travel in the places of history and culture. I also like to encourage the historical culture of human being; and trying to promote them with my photography. The above mentioned festival at Chandaneswar is one of the ethnic festivals of India, which are gradually decaying for different reasons. I want to use my photography as a tool to protect the originality of cultural history of mankind.