A row of vinayaka statues lined up at the Chennai beach waiting to be dumped into the sea. These pictures were taken two or three years back. In recent times due to various regulations including pollution control the sizes of statues have been brought down and such paints are also not used. This is now an annual event here after the `Vinayaka Chaturthi' festival when the statues from all parts of the City are brought in trailers to the Marina to be dumped into the sea using a crane.

A boy sits on a vinayaka statue at the beach. 

A vinayaka statue being lifted up by a crane to be dumped into the sea. 

Ganapathi statues come in all shapes and sizes. Here is a variant - a naga vinayakar - taking to the sea. 

A Vinayaka statue being lowered into the sea. 

A water seller at the Ranthambore Fort within the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The fort is built on top of a hill and it is a stiff climb to the top. But it is worth it -- there are a few ancient temples, and the architecture and the view is great.  

A camel-drawn cart at Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. This town is within a few kilometres of the Ranthambhore Tiger Sanctuary. 

A roadside scene at Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. Such open air barber shops are a common sight there.

The Kapaliswarar temple gopuram on the day of the Kumbabhishekam last year. 

The top of the main gopuram. 

A view of the temple complex from a housetop. Devotees throng the roof tops for a view of the pooja. 

Watching the Kumbabhishekam. 

A view of the Kapaleeswarar temple lit up for the Kumbabhishekam. The temple tank in the foreground reflects the light. 

Painted storks and grey pelicans on the Shriharikota road. Details about the location below. 

Painted storks feeding near Shriharikota road. Details of location below. The road stretches straight for several kilometres and on either side you have the brackish backwaters connected to the Pulicat lake. You have a clear view up to the horizon and occassionally you can spot flamingoes. But they are invariably to far away to photograph from the road. 

Grey Pelicans on the backwaters, part of Pulicat Lake, at Shriharikota. The picture was taken from the road leading to the Shriharikota launch pad of the Indian Space Research Organisation. The place is about two hours' drive to the north of Chennai.  

A lady sells greens in Triplicane. The matching dress was interesting. 

The Vivekananda Memorial, Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. Built in 1970 to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's visit to this place a century earlier. The memorial is located on a small island, about 15 - 20 minute boat ride from the mainland. 

A view of the Vivekananda Memorial.