Tawa Dam

Tawa Dam, on the river Tawa, is located in Tawa Nagar. Its construction began in 1958 and got completed in 1978.

Tawa Dam lies in Satpura, a hill range spread across 4 states.

This blog contains 9 photos shot in Tawa Nagar.

Location : Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh.

Photos shot in March 2020.

Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.

Twitter : SriPhotographer.

 

 

 

Tawa Dam.

 

 

Downstream view of Tawa river, from Tawa Dam. The dam lies in the Satpura range.

 

 

The gates of Tawa Dam.

 

 

A Hindu shrine dedicated to Jalhari Mata, at Tawa Dam. In the background is the reservoir.

 

 

The reservoir in Tawa river and the embankment of Tawa Dam.

 

 

Satpura forest, seen from Tawa Dam.

 

 

The reservoir formed by Tawa Dam on Tawa. Boats and tourists are seen in the foreground, while gates of the dam can be seen in the distance.

 

 

Tourist boats at the reservoir on Tawa.

 

 

Rays of the afternoon sun over river Tawa.

 

 

Cochin Carnival

Fort Kochi is an area in Kochi, Kerala. It is the most popular tourist place in the city. The biggest event at Fort Kochi is the Cochin Carnival, which begins in December and concludes on January 1.

Cochin Carnival is a Christian event which traces its origin to the Portuguese era, when new year was celebrated in a grand manner. Kochi was known as Cochin / Cochim during those days. The Portuguese ruled this region during the 16th and 17th centuries, with Fort Kochi as their capital. After the Portuguese left India, the new year celebrations in the city faded and eventually, stopped.

The new year festivities were revived in 1984 by 3 youngsters from Kochi (then Cochin). This tradition continues till date and has become known as Cochin Carnival.

In the days leading up to new year, music concerts are held. At the stroke of midnight on new year, the effigy of an old man called Papanhi is burnt. In Portuguese, "papanhi" means "old man". The burning of Papanhi represents the end of previous year and the birth of new year.

This blog contains 21 photos shot in Kochi.

Location : Ernakulam District, Kerala.

Photos shot in December 2019 & January 2020.

All photos © S Srikant.

Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.

Audience relishes the vibes during a musical concert, part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi.

A drummer in action during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

An artiste sways during a musical concert, part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi.

The crowd enjoys the occasion during a concert, as part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi.

A singer fires a flame gun projector during her concert, during Cochin Carnival, in Kochi.

The crowd enjoys the occasion during a concert, as part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi.

The crowd enjoys the occasion during a concert, as part of Cochin Carnival, in Kochi.

Police personnel on duty pose for a picture before the effigy of an old man known as Papanhi, half an hour before the stroke of midnight, on new year's eve in Kochi.

Crackers are burst at midnight as 2020 bids farewell to 2019, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

The effigy of Papanhi burns past midnight on January 1 in Kochi. The burning of Papanhi during Cochin Carnival represents the end of previous year and the birth of new year.

Revellers celebrate new year during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

Fireworks during new year celebrations during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

Unruly men take control of the concert stage as celebrations go out of hand, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

A caparisoned elephant at the start of the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

Karagattam dancers during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

Members of the new year day procession dressed as Hindu deities, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

A member of the new year day procession dressed as Kali, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

The winner of Trans Queen Kerala, a beauty contest for transgenders, waves to people during the Cochin Carnival new year day procession in Kochi.

Artistes perfoming chenda melam during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

Artistes perfoming kolkali during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

Panchavadyam, an orchestra of five instruments native to Kerala, in action during the new year day procession, during Cochin Carnival in Kochi.

Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam

In Hinduism, there are 5 temples dedicated to Shiva, representing the 5 elements of nature, namely earth, water, fire, air and space. These temples, located in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, are known as pancha bhoota sthalam. The Sanskrit words "pancha bhoota" mean "five elements".

The Shiva temple representing fire is Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, it is one of India's largest temples.

The best time to be in Tiruvannamalai is during Karthigai Deepam, a festival of lights celebrated by Tamil Hindus. The most important day during this festival is the day of Maha Deepam ("great lamp" in Sanskrit). At 6 PM on the day, a huge lamp is lit on the peak of Annamalai, a sacred hill in Tiruvannamalai. The entire hill is considered a lingam and the Maha Deepam is said to be visible from 9 km.

This blog contains 19 photos shot in Tiruvannamalai.

Location : Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

Photos shot in December 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.

The hill Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai is covered by cloud early in the morning, a day before Maha Deepam. Arunachalesvara Temple, with its main gopuram, is in the foreground.

Arunachalesvara Temple, one of India's largest temples, in the morning on the eve of Maha Deepam. Photo shot from the hill Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai.

A drawing of a sadhu (Hindu monk) by an artist in Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai, on the eve of Maha Deepam.

Devotees getting their heads shaved outside Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai.

The hands of a sadhu go up in prayer outside Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Sadhus pray to Shiva, in front of the main entrance of Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Devotees light lamps in Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai, on the eve of Maha Deepam.

A child is placed in a cradle made of sugarcane and saree, to be taken on circumambulation of Arunachalesvara Temple, in Tiruvannamalai. This ritual is a way of thanking Shiva.

Cradles of sugarcane and sarees containing children, on the eve of Maha Deepam, in Tiruvannamalai.

A priest arranges flowers on an idol of Shiva, before the start of a procession, in Tiruvannamalai. Arunachalesvara Temple's main gopuram is in the background.

A woman prays to a vessel containing fire (agni), on the eve of Maha Deepam, in Tiruvannamalai.

Devotees walking in a road in Tiruvannamalai, as part of circumambulation of Arunachalesvara Temple and the hill Annamalai (background), on the morning of Maha Deepam. This ritual is known as giri valam (circumambulation of hill) and the path taken by devotees to complete 1 round is 14 km long.

Tins containing ghee meant for Maha Deepam, on the top of Annamalai hill in Tiruvannamalai, on the day of Maha Deepam.

The wick for Maha Deepam gets prepared by soaking cloths in ghee, in Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai.

The container in which Maha Deepam would be lit, being readied on the day of Maha Deepam in Annamalai hill, Tiruvannamalai.

Maha Deepam on the top of Annamalai, few minutes after it was lit at 6 PM. The entire hill of Annamalai is considered a lingam.

Arunachalesvara Temple, decorated with lights on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam, as seen from Annamalai, Tiruvannamalai.

People lighting lamps on the occasion of Maha Deepam in a temple in Tiruvannamalai.

The main gopuram of Arunachalesvara Temple, decorated with lights, and Maha Deepam on Annamalai in the background, in Tiruvannamalai.

Someshwar Waterfall

Someshwar Waterfall is a popular tourist spot 9 km away from Nashik. It is located on the river Godavari, which is of great significance to Hindus.

This blog contains 11 photos shot at Someshwar Waterfall.

Location : Nashik District, Maharashtra.

Photos shot in December 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.

The river Godavari at Someshwar Waterfall. The fall is seen in the left.

Someshwar Waterfall and the river Godavari.

The waters of the Godavari flowing past a shiva lingam at Someshwar Waterfall.

Top-down view of Someshwar Waterfall.

Someshwar Waterfall on Godavari.

A downstream view of Godavari, from the top of Someshwar Waterfall.

Visitors click a selfie in front of Someshwar Waterfall.

Fishermen at work in Godavari at Someshwar Waterfall.

A dilapidated structure on the bank of Godavari at Someshwar Waterfall.

Shiva lingam, nandi and trisul inside a Hindu temple, beside Godavari at Someshwar Waterfall.

Hindu temples on the bank of Godavari, as the sun watches from the clouds, at Someshwar Waterfall.