Another reblog from Ron’s photos. This was an incredible cultural experience. Hope you enjoy. We are in Udaipur now and will be in the Rajastan state for a week. As our guide told us, the food and dialect changes every 100 km throughout India. The diversity is what makes India incredible.
We had an opportunity to visit the Thirunakkata Utsavam Festival and witness this passionate and lively celebration. Twenty two elephants paraded through the Thiirunakkara Mahadevar temple grounds unadorned. Then each one was caprisoned in glittering gold brocade.
Next, entered two horn and drum ensembles engaging in “melems”, trying to musically outdo each other.
The men riding the elephants carried umbrellas and large fans and performed to the music.
Several thousand spectators cheered them on .We enjoyed taking pictures of them and they enjoyed taking pictures of us. Very few Westerners there.
The event was officially opened by Bollywood superstar Jayaram.
On the Go with Lynne 
Wow! What a great trip you’re having, Lynne. Ron’s photos are wonderful. 🙂
Thanks, Sylvia. We had an outstanding time and Ron is in his glory with the photography.
This looks like an amazing experience. I was in Udaipur and Rajastan in March 2011. India is endlessly fascinating. A bit of a hardship, but an adventure through and through. Have fun! 🙂
Yes, Cathy. It can be hard and grueling at times, but is an incredible country, rich in architecture and history. Am glad you went.
Yes, me too, Lynn. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. 🙂
Incredible. You really need to take a video with sound. I’d love to hear these elephants. I am so jealous! Your trip looks fantastic.
Ron did take a video with sound. The elephants were pretty quiet, but the musicians had their day. Great trip!
Fabulous shots of the festival!! That is a Malayalam movie star (Bollywood refers to Hindi films). Our diversity extends to our regional movie industries as well, tagged rather unimaginatively as Kollywood, Tollywood and the works!!! 😀
Thanks for straightening me out. We went by the newspaper article the following day and our guide who kept saying Bollywood. What’s funny is that I got a good shot of him and Ron didn’t. 🙂 My instincts helped.
I wondered whereabouts you were. Love those elephants! Happy times still to come, Lynne 🙂
Those elephants were mesmerizing as well as some of the gorgeous guys riding them. 🙂
Wow!! I can almost hear the jingle jangle! How utterly wonderful!!! And gorgeous photos! 🙂
It happened to be my birthday that very day and I kept thanking Ron for giving me such a great party. What fun we had. 🙂
Incredible shots! So lively & colorful as I imagine India to be. It is definitely on my list of places to visit!
Do go to India. It is truly incredible and plan it around a festival of which I am convinced of…hundreds and hundreds of them. Having access to the “inner circle” of this festival, made it all the more doable for Ron an I to photograph.Being the only Americans there made us subjects of Indian photographers. I told one Indian photographer that he had more pictures of me than my husband does. Fun experience. 🙂