Bengaluru BJP Workers Celebrate Elections 2019 Win

The result of the 2019 Indian general election was declared on May 23, 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Narendra Modi bettered his 2014 performance to register a thumping victory and continue his role as the Prime Minister of India.

In Karnataka, BJP won 26 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats, including 1 seat won by an independent candidate backed by the party.

This blog contains 11 photos of Karnataka BJP workers celebrating the resounding win around the party's state headquarters in Bengaluru.

Location : Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka.

Photos shot in May 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

BJP workers waving the party flag as an electronic screen shows prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, on election result day in Bengaluru.

Party workers raise slogans in front of BJP's Karnataka head office on election result day in Bengaluru.

BJP workers raise slogans in anticipation of victory on election result day in Bengaluru.

A BJP representative (centre) addresses the media on election result day in Bengaluru.

A BJP representative (centre) addresses the media on election result day in Bengaluru.

BJP workers raise slogans with a portrait of Narendra Modi on election result day in Bengaluru.

A screen showing BJP-led NDA in a strong position well before noon, on election result day in Bengaluru.

A senior BJP worker addresses the media in BJP's Karnataka head office on election result day in Bengaluru.

A BJP worker mocks Nikhil Kumaraswamy Gowda, JD(S) candidate and son of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, on election result day in Bengaluru. Nikhil Kumaraswamy Gowda lost to BJP-backed independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh for Mandya Lok Sabha constituency.

BJP workers dance in anticipation of victory on election result day in Bengaluru.

A BJP worker waves party flags from atop a car on election result day in Bengaluru.

Maharashtra Day

On May 1, 1960, Bombay State was dissolved and split on linguistic lines into 2 states, namely Maharashtra and Gujarat.

As far as Maharashtra is concerned, it was the organisation Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti that demanded the creation of a Marathi-speaking state. May 1 is observed as Maharashtra Day ("Maharashtra Din" in Marathi) in the state.

This blog contains 12 photos shot in Mumbai.

Location : Mumbai City District, Maharashtra.

Photos shot in April & May 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

Workers decorating a large wooden plank with flowers outside Shivaji Park in Mumbai, on the eve of Maharashtra Day.

Maharashtra Police personnel march in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.

Maharashtra Police personnel march in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.

Commandos from Maharashtra march in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.

Maharashtra Police personnel march in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.

A marching unit in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on Maharashtra Day.

Police personnel march in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on Maharashtra Day.

A car belonging to Women Safety Patrol of Greater Mumbai Police moves during the march-past in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on Maharashtra Day.

Trucks from Mumbai Fire Brigade move during the march-past in Shivaji Park, Mumbai on Maharashtra Day.

Senior officials of Maharashtra Fire Services and Mumbai Fire Brigade pose in Shivaji Park, Mumbai, at the conclusion of Maharashtra Day celebrations.

BJP MP from Maharashtra, Ramdas Athawale, speaks to a journalist in Mumbai, after a function held to mark Maharashtra Day.

Hutatma Chowk (meaning "Martyrs' Square" in Marathi) in Mumbai. It was here in November 1956 that police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators belonging to Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti (the organisation demanding the creation of a Marathi-speaking state), resulting in 15 deaths. On the right, 2 statues are seen holding a flame, as a tribute to the martyrs. On the left, in the grass, are the Marathi words "Jai Maharashtra" (Victory to Maharashtra).

Panguni Peruvizha

Panguni Peruvizha is the annual festival of Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai. The 7th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Kapaleeshwarar here. Panguni is the name of the Tamil month during which the event happens, and 'peruvizha' means 'great festival' in Tamil.

This blog contains 30 photos shot in Chennai, covering the following 5 events during Panguni Peruvizha :

1) Kodiyetram (flag hoisting),

2) Adhikara Nandi Kaatchi (display of the large Nandi),

3) Vellividai Vahanam or Silver Rishaba Vahanam,

4) Therottam (chariot festival),

5) Arupathumoovar procession.

Arupathumoovar procession is unique to Chennai, during which the 63 Nayanmars (devotee-saints of Shiva) are honoured for their bhakti (devotion) towards the lord. In other Shiva temples, the Nayanmar idols are fixed inside as immovable granite figures, but it is only in Kapaleeshwarar Temple that they can be carried in procession.

Location : Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.

Photos shot in March 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai, early in the morning on the opening day of Panguni Peruvizha.

Kodiyetram ('flag hoisting' in Tamil) in Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai. This event marks the official beginning of Panguni Peruvizha, when a flag is hoisted on the dhvajastambha (flag pole).

A priest tugs at a cloth to properly secure the hoisted flag during kodiyetram in Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai.

Devotees pray in Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai on the opening day of Panguni Peruvizha.

Lord Kapaleeshwarar is seen behind his guardian deity Nandi (centre) during Adhikara Nandi Kaatchi ('display of the large Nandi' in Tamil), as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

A priest looks on as flowers are showered on Nandi during Adhikara Nandi Kaatchi, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

Lord Kapaleeshwarar being taken in procession on a giant silver bull during the event Vellividai Vahanam (Silver Rishaba Vahanam), as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

Women drawing kolam to welcome the procession of Lord Kapaleeshwarar during Vellividai Vahanam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

Fireworks celebrating the procession of Lord Kapaleeshwarar during Vellividai Vahanam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

A jampacked street before the commencement of therottam ('chariot procession' in Tamil) during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

Bharatanatyam dancers during therottam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

The ther gets pulled by people during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

Devotees reciting hymns from Thevaram, the Tamil poetry dedicated to Lord Shiva, during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

People pulling a rope of the chariot during therottam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

Buttermilk being distributed to devotees during therottam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

The giant ropes of the ther (chariot) are rolled after the conclusion of therottam during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

An elderly devotee sings the praise of the Nayanmars on the day of Arupathumoovar procession, during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

Women engaged in madipichai on the day of Arupathumoovar procession, during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. The Tamil word 'madipichai' refers to the practice of seeking of alms by women as prayer to god, in times of distress.

A woman prays to Lord Kapaleeshwarar as another reads a religious book during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

A man prays during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

Women prostrate during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

A view of the Nayanmars and other deities during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai.

People reach to get vibhuti (holy ash) from a priest during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

A group of devotees singing hymns during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

Trishula (Hindu trident) and holy smoke during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.

Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai.