CHAINED

While taking this picture, anumber of foreign photographers were also trying to capture the temple beast with the mahout. The mahout’s injured leg, inspired me to make a unique composition capturing only their feet, while the rest of the photographers made a full portrait.

THE SILENCE OF MUSIC

The temple musicians of the rockfort rarely climb up to the top of the temple tower. This photo was taken on one such rare occasion, when a musician left his “melam” in the tower corridor. The morning lights and the glossy walls set the perfect mood for the “melam” rested on the floor.

MAGICAL MIST

The early morning city coated with the orange haze with the temple tower in the foreground.

UNLIT

These lamps are specially reserved for “karthigai”, a tamil festival that celebrates light and life. On other days, you would find these unlit. Despite the absence of light, one can feel the magic of their divinity.

SILHOUTTED

An unseen silhoutted view of the rockfort.

BIG BAZAAR STREET

The big bazaar street as seen from the rockfort.

THE TEMPLE

The rockfort temple is built on one of the oldest rocks in the world. According to geologists the rock is more than 3 billion years old. Built by the Pallava Kings more than 3000 years ago, this temple is highly famous for its architecture.

Two stone chains that are carved out of a single rock here is a living proof of the chiseling abilities of the temple sculptors.