Rajan Parrikar Photo Blog

Thanksgiving

Dattatreya temple in Sakhali, Goa.

The village of Sakhali is noted for its temple dedicated to Dattatreya, or Datta Maharaj, as He is known in Goa. It is the only major temple deity in Goa that I haven’t yet photographed.

When I was in the area on a monsoon morning in 2013, I stopped by the temple, tripod and camera in hand. However, the rakshashas inside wouldn’t allow me to photograph. I would need advance permission from the president of the temple’s governing body, they asserted. Turned out that the prez was someone I knew when he was a lad in shorts, and I wasn’t going to seek “permission” from the little shit. As I made my way out of the premises, out of nowhere appeared this man seeking money for food.

I like to think that it was Dattatreya Himself. Thanksgiving in America is celebrated on a Thursday, Dattatreya‘s day.

Anna Deshpande at Datta Maharaj temple in Sakhali

Giving thanks: Anna Deshpande
5D Mark III, Zeiss ZE 50 f/2 MP

 
 
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