The city of Mumbai, with its vast population from all over India, plays delighted host to a number of festivals every year. One of the major attractions for locals when it comes to the celebrations. From North India is Chhath Puja, when women flock to water bodies such as the Banganga Tank in Walkeshwar to perform the demanding and strict rituals to thank the Sun god and his sister—Chhathi Maiya—for their benevolence.

Which is why when photographer Shailendra Kumar’s pictures of Chhath Puja, performed at various banks of the river Ganga every year were featured at the Biennale at the Bihar Museum earlier this year, mid-day was immediately reminded of the enthusiasm and fervour with which the festival is celebrated in Mumbai.