A tamil priest during a religious ceremony. Munnar, Kerala state, SW India, January 2016
The Independence Day (January 26th) is observed throughout India with great joy. Flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, cultural events and also public religious ceremonies, some of them specifically designed for this occasion (fortunately, Western-style „secularism” is completely unknown to this parts of the world).
Indians celebrate this holiday by bonding with family and friends, listening to patriotic songs, watching patriotic movies, attending religious services inside temples or outdoor. The national flag is proudly displayed on their attire, accessories and homes.
Me and Corina were shy observers to this religious ceremony on the outskirts of Munnar, a city in the mountains of Kerala state. The man was a priest and led a gathering of women and children (i presume the service was for women and children mostly, but i cannot be sure) to a river, holding flower pots and oils.
Well, not so shy in the end, since they invited us to their homes to drink tea and eat a cake baked (obviously) for this special day.
A Westerner cannot help but noticing that in India men still look like men and women still look like women…