Nashik photographer takes home top Wikimedia award for Khandoba Temple shot
A Nashik-based photographer, Prashant Kharote, has clinched the top prize at this year's Wiki Loves Monuments contest, organised in September by Wikimedia -- the global movement behind the free online encyclopaedia Wikipedia. Kharote's colourfully-vibrant photograph of Khandoba Temple in Jejuri, taken during the Bhandara festival celebrations a few years ago, won the first prize, beating entries from across 52 countries in the world.
Kharote's award-winning photograph of Khandoba Temple in Jejuri.
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An ecstatic Kharote, 42, who lives with his wife, two children and parents in Nashik, was informed about the win, late last week. "The picture was clicked during a festival at the temple that happens only once a year. I had sent in other photos too, but this picture appears to have won the hearts of everyone around the globe," he said. "I cannot explain how I feel. I am over the moon. I have received 41 prizes and awards till date, but this one feels very special because my work is finally being recognised internationally, too."
Kharote has won a Canon DSLR EOS 5D Mark IV plus Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens and a printed copy of his winning photo signed by Plácido Domingo, the president of Europa Nostra, pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage. This year, India contributed over 7,700 images. These images were uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, which is an online repository of free-use images and other media files.
Prashant Khatote, CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons
This isn't the first time that a heritage photo of an Indian monument has won a contest. In 2012, when India had participated for the first time, an image of the Tomb of Safdarjung, shared by Pranav Singh, had won the top prize.
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