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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.
Vadodara - Gujarat - India
Stop aan het folkmuseum in Chotta Udaipur.
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.
Few pictures from my recent trip to India. You can find more (witch captions!) at www.expedice.org/luke/silkroad
Few pictures from my recent trip to India. You can find more (witch captions!) at www.expedice.org/luke/silkroad
Sun Temple of Modhera.
Sun Temple at Modhera is one of the few shrines that are dedicated to the Sun God. Situated on the banks of Pushpavati River in Modhera, Sun Temple is easily accessible from Ahmedabad, the largest city of Gujarat.
In 1026, the temple was built by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty (believed to be the descendants of the lineage of Sun God). This ancient temple revives the reminiscences of Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa. Turning in the pages of history, one can notice the mention of Modhera in the scriptures like Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana. The surrounding area of Modhera used to be known as Dharmaranya (forest of righteousness) and the place was blessed by Lord Rama.
The brilliant architecture of the temple is one of its own class. The temple encompasses three different yet axially-aligned and integrated constituents. As per the Konark Temple, this shrine is designed in a manner, so that the first rays of the Sun cast on the image of the Lord Surya. The Temple was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni; still the architectural grandeur is not vanished. No matter what is left, yet the remnants provide a great enchantment to behold.
Erected on a high platform, the Temple appears majestic with its grand structure. However, the spires are out of the scene, but the 'Toranas' (Archways) that lead to the main halls overshadow the absence of spires or shikhars. The exterior walls are engraved with intricate carvings, boasting about the mastery of art in those times. Every single inch of the structure is covered with the sculptural patterns of Gods, Goddesses,
birds, beasts and flowers. Actually, the Sun Temple is divided into three parts namely Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap.
Surya Kund is a deep stepped tank in the front of the temple. The tank was named after the Lord Surya (Sun God). In the earlier times, this 100 sq meter rectangular tank was used to store pure water. The devotees used to take a halt here for ceremonial ablutions before moving towards the temple. Not less than 108 shrines mark the steps of this tank including the shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Sheetala Mata and many others. In front of this tank, a huge 'torana' (archway) leads to the Sabha Mandap.
Sabha Mandap: literally, Sabha Mandap refers to an assembly hall where religious
gatherings and conferences are conducted. This hall is open from all the four sides and has 52 delicately carved pillars. The intricate carvings depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata (Indian Epics) and scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. In order to get into the Sanctum Sanctorum, one has to cross the passage with pillars and arches.
Guda Mandap is the sanctum sanctorum that is supported by a lotus-base plinth. Once, this hall used to house the idol of the Sun God. The designing of the hall was done in a way, so that the idol gets the first glimpse of the Sun at equinoxes. However, the idol was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni yet the walls represent the Sun God in his 12 different facets of each month. The carved walls also depict the aspects of human life like the vicious circle of birth and death. The façade of this hall was renovated in the recent years, despite the fact that the roof over the Guda Mandap had already been shattered.
Indian women voters stand stands in queue to cast her vote at Reasi about 60 KM from the Northern Indian city of Jammu, the winter capital of Kashmir on 07 December 2008. Large crowds voted in several towns in Indian Kashmir on Sunday, while separatists in other areas boycotted the polls and clashed with government forces in the fourth phase of state elections in the disputed Himalayan region.
Ahmedabad - Gujarat - India
Daily life on the street
Ahmedabad is the largest city and former capital of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. With a population of more than 6.3 million and an extended population of 7.2 million, it is the sixth largest city and seventh largest metropolitan area of India. Ahmedabad is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, 30 km from the state capital Gandhinagar.
Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub in India. It is the second largest producer of cotton in India, and its stock exchange is the country's second oldest. The effects of liberalisation of the Indian economy have energized the city's economy towards tertiary sector activities like commerce, communication and construction.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmedabad
We bezoeken Calico house of Textiles and Sarabhai Foundation collection.
Met de tuktuk rijden we naar de Shree Swami Narayan tempel
An Indian eunuch puts bangles in her hand as she dressing up to attend a eunuch’s marriage in the northern Indian city of Jammu, the winter capital of Kashmir on 04 December 2010. Eunuch marriage is marked to observe the mourning of the demised leaders of the eunuch fraternity “Kinnar Biradari” during the 10 day long rituals to mark the occasion the eunuch would perform different activities marriages, lunches and dinners hosted by the fraternity members for the “Kinnar Biradari”. Thousands of eunuchs drawn from different parts of India and Pakistan take part in “Kinnar Biradari mourning” being organised in Jammu and Kashmir state after 35 years.
Ganga Aarti in Varanasi.
Every evening, as dusk descends, it's time for the Ganga Aarti to be performed at the holy city of Varanasi.
It's a very powerful and uplifting spiritual ritual.
An Aarti is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering.
The offering is made to the Goddess Ganga, goddess of the most holy river in India.
The Varanasi Ganga Aarti takes place at holy Dasaswamedh Ghat.
Vadodara - India
Laxmi Vilas Palace - Vadodara
The term Maharaja Palace actually refers to a series of palaces in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, constructed since the Gaekwad a prominent Maratha family started ruling the Baroda State. The first one was a building known as the Sarkar Wada. This building, not really a palace, was given up for the Nazarbaug Palace built in old classical style.
© EPA/RAMINDER PAL SINGH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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.
Landscape in Himachal Pradesh on the way back from Ladakh to Delhi(between Darsha and the Rohtang La pass).
Hodka (mural paintings).
Hodka Village is located in the district of Kutch in the state of Gujarat in India. The name Hodka is derived from the Gujarati word 'hodi' which means boat. The colourful attrire of the people, rich art and craft and strong cultural background of the village is what enchants the tourists most. The village is slowly becoming hot as the rural tourism destination.
Houses of Hodka Village :
The structure and pattern of houses in the Hodka village never fail to impress the visitors. Hodka village consists of typically mud houses. The people of Hodka village use dung and natural dyes in the earth tones to decorate their houses. All the houses are nicely decorated and finely painted. They usually construct their houses using mud which helps in keeping the interior cool.
India Mill. Darwen. Built in 1870 by Eccles Shorrock and Co. Six storey, stone built spinning mill intended for 68,000 spindles
Taken recently at Varanasi, the holy city in India. Such a colourful figure and apart from the clothes note the beads ..... this area is known for its glass beads which are sold everywhere.
@ Bundi, Rajasthan, India.
I reckon Bundi is a mini-Blue City but more peaceful and photographer friendly.
The colour of these houses, combined with E100VS, is so amazing but it was also very difficult to scan.
This lady came out from her house to check me out as I was taking photos of the paintings on the wall. She kept this pose for me when I took her photo.
Tec: Hasselblad 500C/M, 80 F2.8 T* @ F2.8, Kodak E100VS film
The Sidi Sayed Mosque in Ahmedabad.
Jali work.
The Sidi Sayed Mosque in Ahmedabad is one such famous and ancient mosque of the city.
The Mosque of Sidi Sayed or rather the Sidi Sayed Mosque in Ahmedabad is situated close to the famous Lal Darwaja. In fact, the mosque is located inside Bhadra, a fortified bastion that was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in the year 1411 A.D. The elegant mosque was built by Sidi Sayed, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. The mosque is famous all over the country because of its fantastic architecture and exquisite Jali work or stone tracery. The mosque is built of yellow stone and is an example of early Muslim architecture. The Jali work found on the windows of this mosque are worth admiring. The intricate and delicate carvings clearly highlight the talent of the craftsmen of the olden days. The stone has been carefully carved in order to create the filigree effect. The intricate carvings are fine examples of India's rich architectural heritage.
The Sidi Sayed Mosque in Ahmedabad is particularly famous for the twin stone windows. The Jali work on the windows depicts palm trees with curved tendrils. The carvings are truly beautiful and praiseworthy. The Jali work is found in all the ten semi-circular windows of the mosque. The carved windows found on the western wall of the mosque are the most beautiful of them all. The carved screens depict floral patterns and designs.
City Palace, Jaipur, which includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces and other buildings, is a palace complex in Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan state, India.
Agra - Early in the morning visit of the Taj Mahal complex.
The Taj Mahal, meaning Crown of the Palace, is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra.
It was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the jewel of Musim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".
The Taj Mahal attracts 7-8 million visitors a year.
Dhaneti old town - Ahir tribe.
The Ahir are descendants of Lord Krishna. They lived as shepherds at Gokul Mathura about a thousand years ago. After leaving Gokul Mathura they spread throughout northern and northwestern India. There are four types of Ahir tribals namely Prantharia, Machhoya, Boureecha and Sorathia.
These communities are mainly of farmers who once sold milk and ghee but who now have changed their business to transport or salt because of the irregularity of rain. Their mother tongue is Gujarati. They worship Ramdevpir.
The engagement of an Ahir girl is formalized when the groom`s parents present a gift to the bride`s family. The Prantharia Ahirs give money. Machhoya and Boureecha give sets of clothes decorated with mirror work embroidery. The bride`s relatives also contribute at least one silver necklace, one or two gold necklaces, earrings, nose pins, anklets and bracelets.
The costume of an Ahir woman indicates her Jati and her age. Young women have the most elaborate costumes. Their gathered skirts of red, green, blue, orange or brown tied and dyed cotton are richly embroidered. Older married women must be content with plain black cotton tube shirts and simple decorated cotton or plain mashru blouses in subdued colours. Young and middle aged women wear Odhanis of red and block striped mashru with embroidered border.
Puri, a seacoast town in the state of Orissa is one of the traditional four principal pilgrimage sites in India.
India - A view of Gujarat.
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.
Mandawa.
Mandawa is part of Shekhawati region. The town has been referred to as the "open art gallery" of Rajasthan become the entire Shekhawati region and not just Mandawa is dotted with fascinating havelis (mansions) that have lavishly painting walls.
The fort of Mandawa was founded in 18th century. Situated in the middle of town, the Mandawa fort has been converted in a heritage hotel.
Garasia tribal girls (Ambaji market).
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.
Rabari people on the way to Bhuj(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.
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.
Garasia woman.
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.