Chhath Puja Sunset, a photo from West Bengal, East

Photographer's Note

I took this shot Aheritola Ganga Ghat on the day of Chhath Puja..
About Chhath Puja:-
Chhath (Devanagari: छठ, छठी, छठ पर्व, छठ पुजा, डाला छठ, डाला पुजा, सुर्य षष्ठी) is an ancient Hindu festival and only Vedic Festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya and Chhathi Maiya (ancient Vedic Goddess Usha).[5] The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.[6]

The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders.

The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun.

Although it is observed most elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal in modern times, and is more prevalent in areas where migrants from those areas have a presence, it is celebrated in all regions and major urban centers in India. The festival is celebrated in the regions including but not exclusive to the northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat,[7] Delhi,[8] Mumbai[9] Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica.

Subhogen, No_One, aleXundar, Romano46, Miguel82, krzychu30, patpatch heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

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Subhogen (4067) 2013-12-03 23:36

Hello Indrasish,
Very good shot of an age old ceremony and festival. I like the way you have captured the setting sun, because sun is of utmost importance in this ancient festival. Interesting POV and composition. I wish you could have left out the sprite bottle because that does not go well with the mood of the photo..but then what can a photographer do if people use a sprite bottle to store ganga jal instead of an ornate brass utensil. :-). Thanks for sharing a very good capture.
Regards,
Subho

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2013-12-04 1:25

wow, chhobita darun. But against the light eto aalo? Did you done some HDR trick? The buildings at far though seems to me unreal, due to some processing problem but overall the effect is really charming. I appreciate it. Yes, you can clone out the odd green sprite bottle... Bhalo chhobi. Amar last chhobir chhotto pakhita bodh hoy gaum jatiyo kichhu ekta gachhe bosechhilo, thik bolte parbo na. Thanks...
Subhendu da

AdrianWrobel (1676) 2013-12-04 2:20 [Comment]

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No_One (4) 2013-12-04 5:29

Hi Indrasish,
This is a truly beautiful capture, the way the sun is portrayed here, it is not hard to see why it is attributed to greater powers, it really does look like the eye of a god. A vengeful god perhaps, with the storm clouds gathered around.
Then the woman, the colors in her clothes are captured perfectly, soft yet sharp at the same time. Even something as everyday as the bottle of sprite looks here like a valuable vase. This is wonderful work Indrasish, one I am honored to add to my favorites.
Thanks as always
Noel

aleXundar (1256) 2013-12-04 7:18

Hello Indrasish,
Great use of sun in the Sun Puja photo.
The sky, the reflection, the bright sari and above all a nicely composed compact frame - there are too many things to say 'Bah Bah'.
I reiterate - BAH!

Alekhya

Romano46 (18472) 2013-12-04 11:42

Ciao Indrasish
complimenti
una splemndida immagine dalla luce smagliante, dalla composizione impeccabile e con un soggetto colto molto bene nella sua naturalezza ed ambiantato perfettamente in un ambiente splendido.
Bravissimo
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-12-07 8:38

Hello Indrasish,
great to see your new pictures.I´ve been busy at work lately,so I´m sorry for my late reply.
The scene has something magical in itself-the first thing is the scene,the way you captured from behind and so nice,pensive mood you captured perfectly.The second thing is the graphics of the image.Beautiful colors and contrast-looks like the best HDR.

Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

switch2ayan (169) 2013-12-08 10:12

I have seen this pictire on 4th in TE, bt due to the time shortage I couldnt post any comments while its really a commemtable shot. Fabulas use of hdr effect, if I am nt wrong. Saturation level if perfect, very well managed dear, beautiful.
Cheers
Ayan

patpatch (1601) 2013-12-20 6:09

Hello Indrasish,

Very nice capture with a dramatic sky.Your point of view is very interesting withy a great composition.
I like the natural attitude of the woman in the foreground,preparing the offering.
We can feel the mystic athmosphere of the scenery.
I'm always fascinated by India.

Congratulation .

Patrick