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Photographer’s Note

Ramnavami, the nine-day Hindu festival, celebrated in the month of April (Chaitra), is when Lord Vishnu took the seventh avtar and Lord Ram was born to destroy the demon King Ravana.
Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his human incarnation as Rama, the divine ruler of Ayodhya, on his birth anniversary known as Ramnavami. In India thousands of pilgrims converge primarily in the temples of Ayodhya and Pondicherry, two places closely connected with the events of the Ramayana (the epic describing the story of Rama), to participate in Ramnavami festivities. Colourful processions are held, which comprise brilliant floats of Rama, his wife Sita, Rama's loyal brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, Rama's loyal monkey-general. However, the same congregation also happens at various other places throughout India.
This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ram or Ramachandra and is an occasion for great rejoicing especially for the Vaishnav's. The holy books and ancient texts believe that one should fast on this day, and anyone who does not will go to the worst hell. Faith also has it that Rama fulfills the wishes of all those who pray to him on this day.

This shot is of Ram navami celebrations in the steel city of jamshedpur Where in on this day, temples are decorated and the image of Lord Ram and lord Hanuman is richly adorned. Traditional worship begins with chanting Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering flowers and fruit to the god. "Satsangs" (public gatherings) and "jhanda yatra" (the flag/charoit/float procession) are organized to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram and the devotion of Hanuman.Excerpts from the "Ramacharitamanas", praising Lord Ram, are recited. People of all castes and creeds participate in these gatherings and processions to reinforce their faith in the power of lord Ramato and lord Hanuman and listen to the stories and their explanations offered by the learned. Acrobatic and gymnastics display by local men/boys also form an integral part of their celebrations.

The shot was taken when a local acrobat was performing the very dangerous dragon breath trick by blowing petrol from his mouth into a hanging cinder of burning charcoal. Had to wait to capture the exact moment of the formation of the fireball which contributed to the overall illumination of the image

cheers!

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Additional Photos by balmiki bhattacharyya (balmikib) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 10 W: 1 N: 27] (163)
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