Frenzy

An entranced devotee dances before the Dark Mother. Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Kovil Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/2000 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

Ther Beat Goes On

Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Kovil Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/1000 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

Charioteer of the Gods

Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Kovil Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/2000 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

Aunty Power

Female devotees line up to pull one of the heavy temple chariots at the Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Kovil Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 24mm • f/2.8 • 1/640 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

Beat Street

Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Kovil Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/1000 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

The Gift of Pain #4

Devotee with pierced cheeks. Mayurapathi Bathrakali Amman Temple Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/400 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/400 • ISO100 •}

The Gift of Pain #3

A young devotee with steel hooks embedded in his skin. Mayurapathi Bathrakali Amman Temple Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/640 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

^{• 63mm • f/2.8 • 1/800 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

“Uncle, Can You Take My Photo Also?”

I had been photographing the Ther festival all morning, shooting around the Mayurapathi Badrakali temple in Havelock Town before following the chariots and devotees as they headed towards Wellawatte. It was late morning when we reached Pamankada. I’d noticed the teenager out of the corner of my eye as I worked, keeping pace with me. She made a couple of approaches but lost her nerve and held back. Finally, with a deep breath, she came right up to me and popped the question. Colombo, July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/640 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

The Gift of Pain #2

Devotee with pierced cheeks. Mayurapathi Bathrakali Amman Temple Ther festival. Havelock Town, Colombo. July 2023.

^{• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/1250 • ISO100 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}

Tavil Drummer, Colombo #2

Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Kovil Ther festival. Havelock Town, July 2023. A common sight at Hindu ceremonies in Sri Lanka, the South Indian tavil drum is made of wood and goatskin, and is played, like the dawla drum of Buddhist rituals, with a single drumstick on one side and an open hand on the other.

^{• 43mm • f/2.8 • 1/400 • ISO200 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •}