Eid at Jumma Masjid in Ahmedabad

This is for M.

We didn't have a holiday on Eid in office, but I was keen on having one for myself. Taking the second half of the day off, I drove off to the old city. After many evenings of mayhem in the buildup to Eid (had visited the same area for some night photography a few days earlier), the streets were deserted and most shops closed. A few seen walking were beautifully dressed, and were only hurrying to reach the homes of their relatives, friends and loved ones.

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad prayers
A lone man praying...

I knew where I wanted to be, and it was the iconic Jumma Masjid, located right in the center of old Ahmedabad. Its one of the most enduring  landmarks of the town, yet the approach to the mosque is absolutely unmarked; and if you are not looking for it, its likely that you will miss it. The guards took no notice as I walked into the sprawling complex with my backpack and tripod.

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad prayers
The most mischievous kid of them all, it was impossible to contain his energy!

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad prayers
The little girls showing off their pretty Eid dresses

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad prayers
Mother and son...time for blessings...

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad prayers
I don't quite remember the song they were dancing on, but this reminds me of Sridevi from 'Chandni'

The mosque has been a favorite with the locals as well as travelers for ages. As a design student a few years back, I discovered how rewarding the mosque was for a photography enthusiast and since then have been visiting it regularly; sometimes to click images, sometimes to just sit in the corridors and look at the life passing by, sometimes to write. Photography was on my mind, but I was busy writing till a group of young kids came to me and wished me Eid. As I took my camera out and started clicking them, their questions started.

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad old man
An old man sleeping, he never got up while I was there

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad old feet
The old man again (no, he wasn't dead, just sleeping)

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad wazoo
Another old man getting ready for the prayers

Though I was initially taken for a Muslim (I often look like one), the eldest girl in the group later asked me about my faith. I said I had none and this took her by surprise, though she declared that I must be a Hindu. Nothing dampened the mood though, they told me about the eedi they got, and their evening plans. They all insisted that I click them while they dance to the popular Bollywood numbers. As it dawned on them that I was perhaps a kafir, they sang a Meera bhajan and danced on that as well...right in the mosque! I was delighted, and this somehow also made me proud of my city. Despite a difficult recent history, people somehow managed to co-exist beautifully.

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad wazoo
I just like the reflections in the water...

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad namaz
Another man going through the ablutions before prayers

I had hopes that the afternoon prayers would bring in huge crowds, but that never happened. The kids dispersed as it was time for them to go back home and get ready once again for the evening, and I walked around aimlessly for long. Quite unusually I met Saurabh, a singer-director in-the-making, another amateur photographer studying at CEPT and a couple of French dudes doing a world tour on bikes.

Jama Jumma Masjid Ahmedabad wazoo
Two young boys getting ready for the prayer
I was happy with how the day went, and had something to share with my loved ones as well. A new bag, few jottings on the notebook, some images and an Eid story.

Comments

  1. Such wonderefully powerful images, many thanks for sharing them.

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  2. Fantastic shots.. The first pic is a classic..

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  3. Amazing photos! This is photo journalism at it's best. I loved the photos and the stories.

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  4. I absolutely loved this one. Some remarkable clicks. The Girl in Those mustard yellow bangles is the best click. The beautiful eyes are so hard to miss. Also the reflection of the water.

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  5. Oh, what a beautiful series! So much stories in your photos. I love these little girls:-)
    Happy weekend!

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  6. Each pic tells a story.. the reflection, the lone man praying and the Mother and son.. were my favs.. they spoke a lot to me.. lol!

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  7. I would borrow Petty's phrase too.. Powerful is the word for these pictures.. I like these candids Sid..!

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  8. nice set of photos

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  9. Great pic of the little girls. They are so adorable. It's so cool that you have a traveling blog too. I just discovered it. I been reading some posts. You have some awesome shots. Reading all the traveling blogs fulfills my unrequited dream of traveling the world. Unfortunately I can't all the time due to work.:(

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  10. Wonderful photographs. Thanks for sharing

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  11. Fantastic photographs, Siddhartha! India is such a fascinating country with amazing landscapes and people... it's on my list of places to visit some time in the future.

    Thank you for your kind words too!

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  12. Masya Allah..this is so beautiful..the girls are sooo preety and cute..and I love all the pictures,the reflection and everything..ur pictures describes so much about you,the way you view life behind those lenses..its marvelous :D

    P.S:you captured life :)

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  13. un placer conocer tu sitio y poder admirar esta serie. volveré con frecuencia

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  14. As always Sid - you have captured some great moments there...beautiful pictures

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  15. such beauty. the children are gorgeous, as is the water ripples. :)

    thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment! blessings to you!

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  16. Lovely story with beautiful photos. Very rich colors.

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  17. The photos are really nice, love them

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  18. You have something for hairy men, don't you :P

    I love the fact you have passion for going out and clicking the photographs. I feel like a lazy ass when compared to you! Must, I learn some lessons.

    And I too think you look muslim, more like kashmiri muslim...

    The Chandni song fits so well...Today I have no favorites in the lot as I loved all equally.

    PS: I love your new blogger profile picture, glad to see you face :P

    #_#
    The Blunt Blog

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  19. Hi, how are you?
    I went to your blog by accident and really enjoyed it. :)
    I liked this little story that you did on your day off. Beautiful shots! How glad we can enjoy the good moments.
    I hope to come here again.
    Cheers and peace of mind.
    A warm hug from Brasil.

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  20. I look very beautiful images, both the color of the clothes as an expression of their faces.
    ... and precious the reflection of water reflection!

    Greatings from Barcelona (Spain)

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  21. Can you do something about this?
    "www.sid-thewanderer.com contains content from migrationology.com, a site known to distribute malware. Your computer might catch a virus if you visit this site."

    This I got when I tried accessing your site using Chrome

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  22. Love the pictures!! the clarity, color, angles and subjects! bravo!

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  23. love the one with the reflections on the water... beautiful!

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  24. I love the first picture.
    The feet and hand one got amazing DoF.
    The eye grabber is the little kiddo with bangles. Flawless.

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  25. @Petty Witter: Thank you :)

    @RNiranjanDas: Not sure if its a classic, I really wish I could have done better justice to the space...

    @PatTillett: :) Thanks!

    @RedHanded: Thank you so much, this mosque has superb reflections if you go at the right time!

    @Spiderdama: Thank you, wish you too a happy week!

    @KP: :) I am really happy that you could connect with the images :)

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  26. @WongChingWah: Thank you, and I am a big fan of your work :)

    @Sridharan: Thank you :)

    @krishna: Thanks!

    @JV: Thanks a lot, am glad you discovered it and liked it too! The blog is rather close to my heart :)

    @Seema: Thank you :)

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  27. @Fabio: Thank you :)

    @Anu: Thank you :)

    @AB: :), I guess they are...I love faces!

    @Dominic: I am sure you would love the place when you travel here!

    @theothersideofme: Wow! I really appreciate your feedback...I do try to capture life and share it here. I guess all the pics have a lil bit of me in them :)

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  28. @ricardo: Thank you, though am not sure what your comment said :)

    @Natalie: Thank you :)

    @TexWisGirl: Thank you :)

    @Nisha: Thank you :)

    @Sergio: Thank you :)

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  29. @Chintan: Hahahaha...maybe true :) I am super duper glad that you think that I look like a Kashmiri Muslim, that would simply my life :)

    Had to put a new profile pic, I look way too different now from the previous one!

    @teca: I like such accidents, and am glad you enjoyed the blog. Do visit often :)

    A warm hug to you too from India :)

    @Beatriz: Thanks a lot :)

    @EternalRebel: Really...let me check on that. Thanks a lot for the feedback...

    @Nandita: Thank you, I guess I also need to thank my camera and the lens for the pics :)

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  30. @Ankush: Thanks buddy :)

    @WonderWall: Thank you!

    @Crystal: Thank you, I also really liked the kiddo with bangles...she is damn pretty!

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  31. So. I came here after all. I keep visiting this post by the way. Calms me. Beautiful images. But I have already said so. I thought I will leave a comment this time around. :-)

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  32. Great to have you here Zeba, always a pleasure to see your comments :)

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  33. I'm running out of superlatives to describe your photos, Siddhartha. They're absolutely fantastic!

    My favourites are the reflections on water (with the hand), the old man's feet and girl with bangles.

    Oh, and nice profile photo!

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  34. Thanks a lot Ash, but so much praise scares me too. I am actually not such a good photographer...just someone grappling with a camera and my thoughts...

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  35. Beautiful photos as usual, but my favorite is the 5th with the child and her henna.

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  36. This is a beautiful post. :-)
    I especially liked all the pictures. You're turning out to be one of my favorite photographers.
    I especially like the picture of the sleeping man and the reflections in the water.

    PS:- I also like to visit religious centers just like that.

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  37. That photo of the one little girl with the bangles looking through her arms nearly stopped my heart. So engaging.

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  38. @eyeinthesky: Thanks man :)

    @Komail: Thank you so much, and I am still a struggling photographer! I guess we do have that common between us...am extremely fond of religion and visiting places of worship (any faith) takes me to another high..

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  39. Most of the photo's are brillaint, I particularly loved the old man getting ready to pray ans the next one.

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  40. Thanks a lot Sudhir, and I too like your choice of pictures :)

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  41. Hey,
    The entire article was simple yet gripping.I really enjoyed your photography but what i enjoyed more were the captions :) . I am a textile designer myself and hope to write like you some day.You are an inspiration (and an eye candy if i may say)

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  42. Just Awesome...! All of your snaps are ..... well.... so beautiful. I can't describe it fully. Nice work Sir Siddhartha Joshi.

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