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Sacred offerings from West Bengal

Women gather in a Hindu temple with food, flowers, fruit and other offerings as part of Gajan. The week-long festival, celebrated largely in the eastern state of West Bengal each spring, honours the god Shiva; Hindus believe that by satisfying him with offerings, they’ll be freed of the sorrows and hardships of the current year. Preparations begin a month in advance, with organisers going from village to village to gather money and food for rituals. At midnight on the final day, prasad (items blessed by Shiva) are distributed among the worshippers.

One of the shortlisted entries in the Food for Celebration category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2021