My Childhood Diwali

As I lit Diya (oil lamp) in door entrance my childhood Diwali days drift in my mind. What a lovely and busy days those were !!! We used start cleaning and decorating home many days before Diwali. Making Aipan (door steps) with liquid rice powder and red clay was my desired work in Diwali…

On the main diwali day making of Goddess Laxmi’s motif was one of the most fascinating work and my elder brother had expertise in making goddess face in guava and lemon fruits. In night we lilted diyas and candles together. Whole house echoed with mummy’s voice…

Now everything is available in market. Life is much more comfortable now. Goddess face is available in market. Every type of Aipan stickers are available in market but people become more busy in their own life…

Those days have gone and time has passed only memories remain. Suddenly sound of cracker bring me back into present and I starts lit the diya…

Few pictures of Diwali 

Motif of Goddess Laxmi in make in home

 Diyas

Aipan made by Liquid rice powder and Red clay

 Aipan Stickers 

Women of Darma Valley

Darma valley is a Himalayan valley situated in the Munsyari, Pithoragarh District. Uttarakhand state of India...

People of Darma Valley are very shy and reserved. I was in Musari during my Milam Glacier and Nanda Devi East Base Camp trek...

When I back from trek I saw people are dancing and celebrating together. Women were wearing very attractive dress and Jewelry which I wanted to capture...

Though they are very not camera friendly people but i managed to capture few pictures...

Unique Celebration of Dushara Festival in Almora

Almora is a cultural city of Uttarakhand, India. In Almora, Dushara festival celebrate in a different way which I heard many time but could not be a part of it. So this time I decided to be a part of this celebration…

When I reach Almora, I could feel the essence of festival all over. Everybody was in mood of fiesta. When I walk through the cramp market of city I saw many half complete effigies of demons relate to Ravan’s family. In one place huge body of demon is laying on earth to get dressed...

Some Mohalla are relating demons with today’s problem which also should have to be burn…  

Children are also fully involved in the celebration and making their own effigy. When I look at them they give me pose which means a silent order to take a picture…

Almora has different Mohllas (Societies) and all participate in the festival donating one effigy.  By the afternoon every Mohallas (Societies) get ready to go for final parade of effigies.  These huge effigies are wheeled on huge makeshift stage through the market with blowing trumpets and drums.  This is the uniqueness of Almora Dushahra that not only Ravan but other devils also burn…

By the evening every place of city swelled by the people and echoes with religious slogan which make place full of energy. Accompanied with music and crowed all effigies are lined up to the final point…