ceremony

ceremony

Painter creates the large dark eyes of multi-armed Hindu goddess Durga for Durga Puja in Delhi The incredible craftsmanship behind Vasant Kunj's Durga Puja idols! This year for Durga Puja, artisans prepare large statues for Durga Puja and r…

ceremony · hills

The Jeetu Bagdwal festival begins with a traditional havan, as villagers gather in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand to honour a revered folk hero and local deity.

ceremony · wildlife

The incredible craftsmanship behind Vasant Kunj's Durga Puja idols! This year for Durga Puja, artisans prepare large statues for Durga Puja and retail them next to Delhi Metro barricades in New Delhi.

Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand·ceremony · hills

An aerial view captures Rung tribals from Dugtu village carrying two sacred tree trunks through the forest from neighbouring Baling village during the Syang Sye Mahapuja in the Darma Valley of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony

Grand scale of festival marketing and branding - from towering jewellery advertisements to giant brand billboards, massive hoardings are being set up at the entrance of the Balaka Durgotsav Durga Puja pandal in Noida.

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony

Inside the Balaka Durgotsav pandal - see the stunning interior woodwork and architectural details! While the outside mimics Kolkata's Victoria Memorial, the inside of the Sector 61 Noida Community Centre is being meticulously transformed wi…

Uttar Pradesh·ceremony

The incredible craftsmanship behind Noida's grandest Durga Puja setup! This year for Durga Puja, artisans at Balaka Durgotsav are transforming the Sector 61 Noida Community Centre into a massive 63-foot replica of Kolkata's Victoria Memoria…

temple · ceremony

A priest chants sacred mantras during the rituals held before the opening of Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand·temple · ceremony

Devotees carry a ceremonial palanquin on their shoulders along the route to Madhyamaheshwar Temple in Uttarakhand. Along the way, people ring bells as the procession moves towards the shrine.

temple · flowers

Rudranath Temple in Uttarakhand is decorated with flowers for a religious occasion. Devotees sit outside the temple as the temple priest addresses the gathering and delivers a religious discourse.

ceremony

A traditional Sudhi or Shradh ceremony takes place in Odisha following a person's death. Children sit cross-legged in rows, known as pangat, to participate in the community feast.

Uttarakhand·temple · ceremony

The inner sanctum of Shani Temple in Kharsali village, Uttarakhand, features a richly decorated palanquin arrangement associated with Goddess Yamuna Devi.

ceremony

A couple performs a havan during Maha Ashtami celebrations at a Durga Puja pandal in CR Park, Delhi. Following the priest’s instructions, they offer ritual oblations into the sacred fire as the priest chants Vedic mantras.

crafts · ceremony

An elderly artisan painting a statue of Goddess Durga at a roadside workspace in India ahead of the Durga Puja festival.

Uttarakhand·ceremony · river

Priests prepare for the evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, as a large crowd gathers along the riverbank. Visitors sit and stand at the ghat, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

ceremony

Priests offer bhog to Goddess Durga inside a Durga Puja pandal in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi. Two people hold a curtain in front of the deity during the offering ritual, a practice observed while food is presented to the goddess.

Uttarakhand·river · ceremony

Devotees gather in large numbers at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, to take a ritual dip in the Ganga River. Some visitors perform Ganga aarti along the ghat while others bathe in the river.

Uttarakhand·ceremony · river

Devotees and visitors gather for the evening Ganga Aarti at a riverfront ghat in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. People sit along the steps and pebbly riverbank, while others stand behind steel railings beneath a covered shelter.

ceremony

A havan is performed on Maha Ashtami during Durga Puja inside a decorated pandal in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi. Priests chant mantras beside a brick-lined havan kund containing burning wood and ritual offerings.

ceremony

Aarti takes place inside a Durga Puja pandal in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi, on Maha Ashtami. After the prayer, the priest carries the aarti thali around the hall, allowing devotees to receive the ritual blessing.

ceremony

A havan is performed on Maha Ashtami during Durga Puja inside a decorated pandal in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi. Priests chant mantras beside a brick-lined havan kund containing burning wood and ritual offerings.

ceremony · bazaar

Rows of food stalls selling fried and steamed momos operate at the Durga Puja celebrations in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi. Visitors queue at the stalls to buy momos, while others eat and socialise in the busy festival area.

music · ceremony

Dhunuchi naach and traditional dhak drumming take place inside a decorated Durga Puja pandal in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi.