Hindu Festivals

[xchrom]

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/09/hindu-festivals/100154/

Hindus around the world -- from South Asia to Britain and beyond -- observe many colorful holidays throughout the year. Recent festivals include the Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrating the birth of the elephant-headed deity, and Janamashtami, the birth anniversary of the god Krishna. The range of experiences at these celebrations runs from joyfully loud and spectacular to solemn and contemplative. Each devotee celebrates in a distinct, personal way even while joining the larger community. Hinduism is the world's third-largest religion; the majority of its one billion adherents are concentrated in India, but sizable communities exist all over the globe. I hope you enjoy these vivid, intriguing glimpses of Hindu festivals photographed over the past few months. <39 photos>

[geckosfeet]

1. Religious festivals are fascinating. So many different reasons to celebrate.

And they celebrate in so many different ways.

These festivals seem to reflect the character of the belief system, having originated when the religion was young.

Caption for the image in OP:
Hindu Festivals

Devotees carry an idol of Hindu elephant god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, into the water from Girgaum Chowpatty beach before immersing it in the waters of the Arabian Sea on the last day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, on September 11, 2011. Idols are taken through the streets in a procession accompanied by dancing and singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual send-off of his journey towards his abode in "Kailash", while taking away with him the misfortunes of all mankind. (Reuters/Vivek Prakash)

A Hindu devotee smokes marijuana after taking part in a "Bol Bom" pilgrimage in Kathmandu, on July 25, 2011. The faithful, chanting the name of Lord Shiva, run some 15 km (9 miles) barefoot to Pashupatinath temple seeking good health, wealth and happiness. (Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar)

Hindu Festivals

[OneGrassRoot]

2. K&R Thanks :) n/t