Guruvayoor, Kerala

People of Kerala Series #18: The Mahout with his poking implement and his tusker.

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Guruvayoor, Kerala

People of Kerala Series #16: Hotel owners and pilgrims

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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.

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.

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.

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.