Minerva Circle, Bangalore. Karnataka

Men In Black Series. Photo #8: To Shabarimala, on a 2-wheeler.

Mancode (Kollam Dist.) and Kareelakulangara (Alapuzha Dist.)

People of Kerala Series #14,15: Bhagvad Gita readers.
The Gita is recited for 41 days in December and January to mark Krishna’s preaching to Arjuna in Kurukshetra.

Guruvayoor Temple, Kerala

Kerala's famous Guruvayoor temple was a surprise. It turned out to be a very small temple by South Indian standards (The last temple I visited was the city-sized Madurai Meenakshi complex). Thought it was decked like a shopping mall, the atmosphere is Khumb Mela-like-fantastic. The elephants are super cool and mesmerising, as expected. Though I could not find the elephant our Chief Minister Yediyurappa gifted. And except for the pilgrims, it's situated in a region where the population is largely muslim, thanks to it's location on the Malabar coast famed for its trade ties with Arabs and West Asia for over 3000 years. But then, the main idol at the temple itself is said to have been washed up from the ocean.

Kalpetta, Wayanad. Kerala

People of Kerala Series #13: Daily Commuters.

SH-17 Channapatana ಚನ್ನಪಟ್ಟಣ

If it's Chennapatna, it's got to be Channapatana toys.

Pullukulangara, Alapuzha Dist. Kerala

People of Kerala Series #12: Drummers.

Chunakkara, Alapuzha Dist., Kerala

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see some Cantonese influence in this very Kerala wall painting.

Hassan, Karnataka

ISRO's Master Control Facility. This place tracks and controls India's satellites.
More pics from Karnataka

Alapuzha (Alleppey) Beach

People of Kerala Series #11: Ice cream and kite seller.

Guruvayoor, Kerala

People of Kerala Series #10: Pilgrims waiting overnight for the early morning darshan of Lord Gurvayoorappan (Krishna) on the Ekadashi Day. The day, Krishna started narrating his pep talk, now known as the Gita, to Arjuna.

Mullackal, Alapuzha Town. Kerala

People of Kerala Series #8,9: Keralites don't step out without umbrellas. Rain or shine.

NH 212, Kalpetta, Wayanad

People of Kerala Series #7: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) supporters.
This photo was clicked by my wife, Kavita. SFX: Tinted glass.

NH 212, Sulthan Batheri, Wayanad. Kerala

Red Salute (Lalsalaam)

People of Kerala Series. Photo #6: Communists.

Pullukulangara, Kayankulam, Kerala

People of Kerala Series. Photo #5: Dancing priests.

Mancode, Kollam Dist., Kerala

People of Kerala Series. Photo #3,4: A Rubber Tapper makes raw rubber sheets.

Mavelikara, Kerala

People of Kerala Series. Photo #2: Schoolboy.

NH47, Thottapally, Alapuzha Dist., Kerala

People of Kerala Series. Photo #1: Fishermen.

Guruvayoor, Kerala

Men In Black Series. Photo #7: Many pilgrims stop to worship at shrines on the way to Shabarimala.

Guruvayoor (Private) Bus Stand, Kerala

Men In Black Series. Photo #6: Pilgrims from TN prefer to take breaks on bus tops.

Majestic, Bangalore

Men In Black Series. Photo # 5: All buses and trains to Kerala from Southern states are full during the Ayyappa season. A pilgrim waits for a bus in Bangalore.

SH20. Mettur, TN

Men In Black Series. Photo # 4: 500 odd kilometers to go. These pilgrims walk barefoot all the way to the shrine at Shabarimala, South Kerala.

NH7. Thoppur Ghat (Between Krishnagiri and Salem)

Men In Black Series. Photo # 3: One among thousands of chai and food stops serving shudh veg food to the stream of Swamis (the Ayyappa pilgrims). That's Ayyappa advertising that the restaurant is 'kosher' behind the chaiwallah.

Guruvayoor, Kerala

Men In Black Series. Photo # 2: A cut-out of Ayyappa, the deity at the Shabarimala shrine adorns of van carrying pilgrims.

And I think that all young god faces are inspired by a young Sridevi's face.

Guruvayoor, Kerala

Men In Black Series. Photo # 1: Pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, headed for Shabarimala wait for a darshan at the Sri Krishna Shrine.