23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Bappa in a Sea of Devotion
A towering idol of Ganesha rises against the evening sky as Mumbai’s Ganesh Chaturthi procession swirls around it. A long exposure turns the devotees into streaks of colour and movement while the deity remains perfectly still at the centre of the frame. The contrast between the glowing floodlight, the purple halo and the restless crowd captures the overwhelming energy of immersion night. The photo is a testimony to the intense devotion and energy of the Mumbaikars (as the residents of Mumbai call themselves) and thus is in my view a "peoples" category photo.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 09.2025 |
| Date Uploaded: | 11.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Mumbai, India |
| Camera: | NIKON D7000 |
| Copyright: | © rajeev anand |