Vel vel Festival, 2022
by Tathagataa Ghosh
Every year before Chaitra Sankranti the Tamil originated people at Bandel of Hooghly district celebrate their prime Murugan festival "Vel Vel" in West Bengal, India.
This year it was scheduled on Wednesday, 6th April. During this festival, I documented many devotees and spectators. "Vel Vel" is performed by a devotee who has his cheeks pierced with a spear, and lemons on metal hooks around the skin of the chest. They also have metal hooks on their backs that pull the chariot. People seek their blessings from devotees and they walk with them toward sheetala temple to complete the ritual.
"Vel Vel" festival celebrates the spirit of austerity and heroism.
I am a freelance photographer from Gushkara, West Bengal, India, Currently living in Kolkata, West Bengal, India trying all genres of Photography but mainly into the street, storytelling, documentary and black and white photography. I believe each and every image has its own story. I love to capture stories on the streets. I loved clicking images back when I was a kid but took it seriously in 2017. I am still a beginner and a learner.
