GAJAN IN RURAL BENGAL

Gajan is a Hindu festival celebrated in West Bengal which is associated with Lord Shiva/Neel. Shiva Gajan is a pre harvest festival devoted to Shiva and Parvati for a fruitful harvest.Starting at the last week of Choitro, the festival continues till the end of the Bengali year. The devotees seek the blessings of Shiva for a good harvest and the alleviation of difficulties. The image shows a group of Gajan devotees (Sanyasis)coming through a paddy field to offer prayer to lord Shiva.