Somewhere near Pune....

Fervour marked celebrations at one of Maharashtra’s renowned religious centres on Somavati Amavasya. ‘Sonyachi Jejuri’ was exactly how the pilgrim centre looked, bathed in a yellow layer of bhandara (turmeric). Thousands chanted ‘Sadanandacha Yelkot’ and ‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ in praise of Khandoba (Shiva). Many flogged themselves, some walked barefoot, and others on their knees as a mark of penance, while police had to resort to a mild lathi charge to control the crowds . A palakhi of Lord Khandoba and Mhalsa’s images is carried from Gadkot temple to Karha river every year, where a marriage ritual is performed