TRAIL OF LIGHTS

If there is one place where people in this Covid times, I recently found, who were deliriously negligent, unmindful of clear and unconditional danger heaving as close as the person scurrying behind them, is spotted around the temples. Where I got wedged in pandemonium when I planned to drive to this famous local shrine on a hilltop, but I hardly found space to walk up the road; forget about parking my car safe from jostling devotees.

My idea was to take a vantage point that would allow a view of the city sparkling in the evening lights.  Also, add to the frame the snaking flyover encircling the hill that merges to the highway – resplendent in florescent lights and zooming traffic that builds up as the night descends.

Caught among the frantic crowds rushing up the hill to get a glimpse of the goddess, I forgot, for a while, about the Covid protocol of social distancing, but soon dashed to a safe point. I, too, limped with the backpack, heaving and panting to set up the gear and get going with the shoot before the security personnel might rush to warn about the prohibitory photography rules around the temple area. I was aware of the possibility they can even confiscate the camera equipment. Despite the risk, I put on a brave front to experiment on some long exposure night photography.

I worked about, unmindful of the press of prayerful commotion, adjusting the settings to slow shutter speed mode, and watched the traffic headlights and taillight trails transform into long red lines that offered stunning imagery results of unbelievable ethereal quality.