Thanks, power control station!
Last October I was in Mysore for part of the ten-day festival Navratri and/or Dasara. Mysore is known for their spectacular Dasara parade (the best one in India, supposedly) … but sadly I had to work that day, so I could only go to Mysore the day before and look longingly at the rows of empty folding chairs and the elephants hanging out in their pen waiting for their moment of glory the next day.
However, the day I visited Mysore was Ayudha Puja, which literally means “worship of weapons” but is now a day to worship and appreciate all of the tools you use to earn a living and in your daily life. Nearly every vehicle was decked out with flower garlands and pigment and giant banana leaves. The fire truck above is not even close to the most elaborate one I saw.
They also had a puja at work, and I came in the next day to a freshly blessed computer workstation and scanner, complete with flowers strewn about.