We're sharing the contest entries from our Photos of Home grad student competition.

Today's photo was taken in Thirukkadaiyur, Tamil Nadu, India, and is entitled "The Rustic Charm". It's from Ramasamy Meyyappan, Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, who writes:

Animals hold a special place in Hindu mythology, as they are belived to represent Gods and demi-Gods. The scene depicts a person religiously getting the Blessings of the Elephant, considered to represent god Ganesha.

On the far-right, a small boy can be seen shying away from the majestic pachyderm, while his mother attempts to get him blessed by the divine animal. As a kid, I remember being awed and thrilled on my first encounter with the animal and so are thousands of other kids.

So unique from other cultures but so commonplace from where I come, I thought this picture best represents the place I call home.