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Had a chance to visit Delhi while going to Ladakh...one didn't dare to visit most of common places due to the weather conditions,coming from South India,facing Delhi 's climate was lil challenging .
India Gate looked terrificwith the evening skies .
HAPPY SANKRANTHI !!!!
Happy Pongal !!!!
Vadodara - Gujarat - India
Everyday life and the market in Vadodara
Vadodara which used to be known as Baroda, is the third largest city in the Western Indian State of Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District and is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, southeast of Ahmedabad, 139 kilometres from the state capital Gandhinagar.
The city is the site of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, the residence of the Maharaja of Baroda and the royal family; and his erstwhile Darbar. It is also the home of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (Vadodara), the largest university in Gujarat. An important industrial, cultural and educational hub of western India, the city houses several institutions of national and regional importance while its major industries include petrochemicals, engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, IT and foreign exchange services amongst others.
Vadodara has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadodara
We bezoeken de markt in Kwant/Kavant waar we de mannen zien met rode tulband (Rathwa) geel/witte tulband (Nayak) Lohar (ijzerwerk verkopers) Saddhu en tempelpriesters.
Allahabad - Ardh Kumbh Mela.
Bathing at Sangam (the confluence of the ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati Rivers).
Boatride.
By luck of the draw my driver was this guy. www.marketplace.org/2012/04/27/world/indias-rickshaw-driv...
Rabari man in Dubhrej village (Gujarat).
The region of Gujarat has played host to many a tribal culture and nourished them from the very earliest periods of history. One such tribe here, the Rabaris, still pursue a pastoral lifestyle—much in the same way as they did ages ago.
The Rabaris are a semi-nomadic tribe—pursuing a pre-agrarian, pastoral lifestyle—found mainly in the Kutch and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat. Though living today in permanent settlements, they are believed to have originally migrated from Baluchistan more than a millennium ago.
But over these thousand and more years, the Rabaris have undergone many changes and have been widely influenced by the local cultures with which they came in contact. Not only are they divided into distinct clans, they also prefer to trace their origin to Hindu Gods and even the Rajputs.
Without delving into the garbled clues provided by folk lore about their origin, a closer look at the Rabari today leads one into his quaint, colourful and rugged lifestyle.
By no means are the Rabaris an isolated people. The men are on the move—almost 10 out of the 12 months—in search of grazing pastures for their livestock; while the women and children remain in their villages. These villages are normally small, devoid of more than superficial amenities and, almost always, set in bleak, barren suroundings.
In a typical village, their rectangular houses, called vandhas, are built in rows. The white-washed mud walls and tiled roofs may have an appearance of starkness when viewed from outside. But within each house, the Rabari’s fondness for patterns is easily visible from the many geometric patterns that adorn its interiors. The tiny mirrors embedded into these mud-plaster patterns only enhance their beauty as they catch the faint glimmer of light streaming in from a small window or a low doorway. A home usually consists of two rooms, and an extended enclosure in the verandah which forms the kitchen.
The room at the back is normally used as a storehouse—a virtual treasure house of embroidered clothes and quilts kept in carved wooden pataras (chests); and the kothis and kothlas (granaries) made of mud and cowdung. The other room is mainly a living room decorated with embroidered torans or decorated doorways, while the doors are covered with brass foil etched in a myriad patterns. Often, the only piece of furniture that one might find is a carved, wooden cradle.
The community’s main stay is milk and milk produce from their livestock in order to purchase commodities that they trade in various forms at the local village or town markets.
Much of the handiwork seen in their decorated homes is that of their women. In fact, Rabari women are famous for their embroidery work, called bharat kaam, from which they make numerous traditional garments and furnishings. The kediyun, a gathered jacket with an embroidered smock, worn by young Rabari men and children, skirts and blouses for the women and girls—are al dexterously embroidered. Interestingly, the Rabari girl, completes over the years, her entire dowry which includes clothes as well as beautiful quilts or derkee.
Kokulashtami, after the rains, is marriage time. The men are back from their wanderings for this al important occasion. All marriages take place on this one day. Since child marriage is still very much in vogue within this tribe, outsiders are distrusted. Again, the Rabari marries only within the tribe and often into families which are closely located. Marrying outside the fold leads to social castigation and is very rare. While Rabari couples are probably the most exotically dressed, the marriage is a simple ritual performed by a Brahmin priest.
Rabaris, by and large, and ardent followers and worshippers of the Mother Goddess. Each clan has its own tribal goddess as the patron deity, though their homes often have pictures of other gods and goddesses as well. Strong tendencies of deifying and invoking the dead are still prevalent—a pointer to the community’s old world origin.
Another old world custom that has persisted is the custom of tattooing and there is a marked similarity In the motifs used in their embroideries and tattoos.
As an outsider it is difficult to communicate with these people since they speak a dialect which is a mixture of Marwari and Gujarati. But once they understand the visitor’s innocent curiosity, they exude the warmth and friendship that has always been a part of their make-up.
Graveyard of the Garasia people.
Garasia, an interesting ethnic group inhabiting the Aravali foothills of remote Sabarkatha district in Gujarat has a curious history. Though a depressed class and classified as a de-notified tribe, the Garasias resembles closely with the advanced Rajput clans in many ways. Due to these, the British administration had even categorized the Garasias as a branch of Rajputs who were petty land holders. Even today amidst poverty and deep isolation I was surprised to see Garasias not only as prime agriculturalists but also holders of large chunk of lands in the remote slopes of Aravali Mountains. Their houses are widely dispersed each surround by a large farmstead.
Yet the Garasias are poor and deprived of basic services like, health, education
and safe drinking water. Farming is mostly rain fed. According to historical records, in colonial India as land became scarce both through colonial expansion and slash-and-burn agriculture Garasias became further marginalized and associated themselves with Bhils, a more primitive tribal group. The nationalist movement created further division between groups as the Rajput identity was grounded in traditional customs and their heritage as rulers.
Garasias of Sabarkatha form two distinct groups – the Garasia Rajputs and the
Garasia Bhils.
The Garasia Rajputs: In the medieval time the Rajputs from Rajasthan and surrounding plains of Gujarat had appropriated Bhil territories and in part to strengthen their rule and maintain peace, some of them married to Bhil women.
Their offspring formed a distinct caste – the Garasia Rajputs. They served as delegates between the ruling Rajputs and Bhils. The Garasia Rajputs are a lower
status caste than the Rajputs but consider themselves higher to Bhils with whom
they do not inter marry. Garasia Rajputs see themselves as tribalized Rajputs and they believe that that their Rajput ancestors moved to remote forest to avoid subjugation by a conquering group.
The Garasia Bhils: The Garasia Bhils are those who married to Bhil women and were not accepted into Garasia society because of the lower status of the Bhils. The Bhil Garasias are also called Dungri Garasias.
The Garasias live mostly in huts consisting of two/three rooms with mud wall partitions. The roofs are built of flat tiled roofs. There is a smaller hut attached to the main one meant for cattle. However, for the other animals like goats and hens there
are open air facilities. The Garasia women are known for their colourful attires and silver jewellery. Dhols (drums) and bow-arrows are also part of the material culture of the Garasias.
The huts belonging to various families are widely dispersed and there is no central place where people can meet together. I visited a few houses in the village and while interacting with the inhabitants I discovered the gender divisions - women’s responsibility include cooking, tending to cattle, milking the animals and looking after the children. The men do the physical labour such as ploughing, harvesting and building the houses. There is a strong prevalence of joint family system though there is very little unity or cooperation between the village clans.
Dabhoi - Vadodara - India
Dabhoi also called as Darbhavati is a city and a municipality in Vadodara district in the state of Gujarat, India. It was originally known as Darbhavati.
Hodka village - Harijan or Meghwal tribal people.
The name Harijan was given by Mahatma Gandhi to the Meghwal people. Hari means God and Jan means People. Meghwals are originally from Marwar in Rajasthan. They are experts in weaving wool and cotton and make attractive leather embroidery and wood carving.
Meghwals live all over Kutch. They always live in groups outside the village. Their houses are very clean and decorated by cowdung mud and mirrors. The men do leather work, wood carving and women do embroidery and patchwork. They live close to the Muslim families. They often borrow embroidery patterns and techniques from Muslim neighbours. They worship Ramdevpir.
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Wrestlers in action as they practice the art of 'Kushti' at 'Akhara Krishan Pehalwaan' in Amritsar city, India, 15 July 2008. Indian form of wrestling which is known as 'Kushti' is an ancient form of warriorship where training is imparted in an 'Akhara', which is more like a temple-gymnasium dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Hanumaan. Each 'Akhara' has a Guru or the Master whose wisdom guides the training of the wrestlers. In traditional Indian wrestling or 'Kushti', the wrestling match is played in the square dark red clay ground. The young wrestlers usually train two times a day; in the early morning and in the evening, six days a week. Indian wrestlers subscribe not only to a set of wrestling exercises but to a more elaborate way of life, i.e. diet, spirituality, ethics, etc. In the modern times, the gyms are preferred over 'Akharas' and a sculpted body is preferred over skilled fingers of a traditional wrestler. The trend of joining the 'Akharas' has diminished over the years.
Meghwal tribal woman (Gujarat).
The people of Meghwal tribe are originally from Marwar in Rajasthan. These days they are also found living in western Gujarat near the Pakistan border. In Pakistan, Meghwals mostly live in Tharparker, Badin, Mirpurkhas, and Umerkot districts while in Southern Punjab. Marwar is the region of Rajasthan in India that lies in Thar Desert.
They live in small hamlets of round, mud-brick huts painted on the outside with colourful geometric designs and decorated with detailed mirror inlays. The women are famous for their embroidery work and are master wool and cotton weavers. The men are woodcarvers and leather workers. Meghwals are considered as most peacefull among all the tribes living in Gujarat, Sindh, Rajasthan, Punjab.
The Meghwal women are renowned for their exuberantly detailed costumes and jewellery. Married Meghwal women are often spotted wearing gold nose ring, earrings and neckpieces. They were given to the bride as a "bride wealth" dowry by her soon-to-be husband's mother.
The Meghwal women's embroidery is avidly sought after. Their work is distinguished by their primary use of red, which comes from a local pigment produced from crushed insects. The Meghwal women artisans of Thar desert in Sindh and Balochistan, and in Gujarat are considered master of the traditional embroidery and Ralli making. Exotic hand embroidered items form part of dowry of Meghwal woman.
The Meghwal tribe are known to be both Hindu and Muslim.
India's Pride...!!!
Peafowl Dancing in the Rain Forest...!!!
Did You Know?
One of the most ostentatiously adorned creatures on Earth, the peacock uses its brilliant plumage to entice females.
For more information on Manali (India), Click - Here
The sight really overwhelmed me and I couldn't resist myself gazing at the scene for a couple of minutes non-stop. It seemed as beautiful as a painting. Manali, India, is one of the finest hill stations in northern India. The hill station is at a distance of 40 km from Kullu, to the north. Manali occupies a position at the end of the Kullu Valley and lies on the National Highway leading to Leh in Ladakh.
The Beas River crisscrosses Manali wonderfully. Beautiful deodar and pine trees along with tiny fields and fruit orchards add an exotic touch to the hill station of Manali, India. Manali also happens to be a favourite resort for all those who trek to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur and Leh. The Mountaineering Institute of Manali is also a perfect base for trekking, mountaineering and skiing.
Manali (India) Fast Facts :
State : Himachal Pradesh
Area : 5.12 sq km
Population : 4,200
Languages : Pahari (Local dialect), Hindi & English
Best time to Visit : May to October
STD Code : 01901
Manali Tourist Attractions
Spend a couple of days at Manali hill station in India and enjoy visiting these attractions.
Hadimba Temple, Manali: Four storey temple, built in Pagoda style
Arjun Gufa, Manali: Located on left bank of River Beas
Manu Temple, Manali: A temple dedicated to Manu
Vashist Hot Water Springs, Manali: Located across River Beas, 3 km from Manali
Rahala Waterfalls, Manali: Located at the point from where begins to ascent to Rohtang Pass
How to Reach Manali (India)
Bhuntar Airport at 50 km is the closest air link from the hill station of Manali.
Railheads conveniently located from Manali include Chandigarh (320 km) and Shimla (260 km).
By road, Manali remains connected with all the key destinations in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Venueshot at the India Economic Summit 2016 New Delhi, India, Copyright by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell #wef #ies16
Warangal Fort dates back to the 13th C, but invaders destroyed the majority of this massive fortress. The remnants of Warangal Fort that remain include a wall made of mud, which encircles the entire fort, a second wall of granite rock, and then the actual fort itself.
The stone gateways of Warangal Fort are still present and stand about 50 feet from the ground, carved out of a single rock. Replicas of these gates, made out of concrete, can be seen in various parts of Andhra Pradesh.
The four pathways inside the fort, pointing in the four principal directions, lead to a huge central Shiva Temple.
Bhuj - Gujarat - India
In Dhamadka kijken we naar het block printen van stoffen door de Katri bevolking.
Onderweg Rabari mannen. De Katchi Rabari zijn zwarte mannen.
We zien de Baroth Rabari (vrouwen) van Rajasthan met grote gevulde waterpotten op het hoofd.
Weven zien we in de Bhujodi village door de Vankar bevolking.
Op verschillende plaatsen zien we het weefproces gedaan door mannen en ook een ketting scheren door een vrouw.
In New Dhaneti zien we fijn borduurwerk waarin spiegeltjes zijn verwerkt, gemaakt door de Ahir bevolking.
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For information about Greater Manchester Police’s Air Support Unit please visit our website.
The Jat - one of the hidden tribes in Gujarat (India).
Dhaneta Jat girl.
The Jats who live in Kutch are particularly conscious of their identity as a group and their sense of unity comes from a perception of shared historical traditions and a belief in common ancestry.
Originally the Jats were herders who lived in an area called Half in Iran. Five hundred years ago these shepherds migrated from Half and came to Sindh and Kutch to search for new grazing lands. They crossed the Rann of Kutch and settled there taking up farming, they became known as Dhaneta Jats. Some have devted themselves to the study of the Koran and are known as the Fakirani Jats. All the Jats in Kutch are Muslims and have similar marriage and dowry customs.
The Dhanetas are the largest of the Jat Communities. They live throughtout north western Kutch. The Dhanetas live in the Banni, herd cattle. The men care for the animals and women remain in camp looking after their families.