Drench In Yellow
Haldi Festival - Pattan Kodoli, Kolhapur, Maharashtra...

Shri Vittal Birdev festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Vitthal Birdev Maharaj, who is considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. The baba is God's messenger, and people seek his blessings for a healthy life. He's revered for his ability to foretell his predictions about farming, rain and future conditions of the country which is helpful to the people of the community.

Vittal Birdev Yatra in Pattan kodoli is unique. During the 4 days of celebration of Lord Birdev Maharaj’s birthday, the sky turns yellow because people throw bhandara (a turmeric like yellow powder) and everything in the village turns yellow. Vittal Birdev Jatra of Pattan kodoli is Maharashtra's most colourful Bhandara festival.
Lakhs of Dhangar community people gather at Vittal Birdev temple in Pattan kodoli village. Men, women and children take this arduous journey on foot. Most of the devotees who make this journey are aged men and women with great wisdom and strength. They gather on the temple premises to celebrate this festival. During the group singing and drumming, people shower Bhandara on everything they like to worship. They throw the yellow powder and pieces of coconut into the temple premises and surrounding areas. The showering of Bhandara is a vibrant activity and it results to turn the temple and its surroundings yellow colour.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Arun Kumar Nalimela, is a passionate Travel Photographer from India. His photographs have been published by National Geographic India, Apple, Sony Alpha and BBC Earth. In addition, his photographs were published in many News Paper and Magazines. He also got interviewed for a Yuva program as part of Inspiration to youth on one of the high-rated News channels, ETV in Telangana.

This picture was captured in Kolhapur, India and was shot on Sony Alpha 7Riii with a 35mm lens.

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