Photo essay: a great anointment in the 21st century

Every 12 years, thousands of people gather in the Southern Indian state of Karnataka to witness the Mahamastakabhisheka or the 'Great Head Anointment' of the 57-foot high statue of Bahubali. This photo essay captures the nearly thousand year old ceremony, which has been embellished with some 21st century additions in the form of material and technological changes. Text by Sweta Daga and Dhruva Ghosh. Photos by Rajiv Rathod, Sweta Daga, and Dhruva Ghosh.