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...

Migration Turning Uttarakhand’s Villages into Ghost Villages

As I enter into the village near Ranikhet, I was shock to see the row of abandoned houses. These houses are finely crafted and wood carving work can amaze to anyone but all has been ruined.  I haven’t’ see any, who tell me the reason why the beautiful houses are getting ramshackle?

 After one hour I saw an old lady. I ask her the reason. She says – I am 65 and living alone here. All have migrated to the plain in search of work and better life. She says – few people are also there but all are old like me…

Why they all migrated to the plain ? Can’t they get a better life here ? Why don’t they do farming ?  She replies – Farming is getting tough each day. Wild animal like monkeys, langoors, wild boars and porcupines destroy agriculture badly and we cannot do anything against them.  Leopards are another problem. No one knows when they will attack. As sun goes down village become ghostly.

She says tear in her eyes - Government says so much but not does anything for the development of villages. This is not the only village which becomes ghostly.  Other villages are also turning into ghost villages due to lack of Government policies…

Bright Himalaya was seeking my attention with his beauty but I don’t want to see the Himalaya so back from there…       

Ramshackle House 

Wood carving Door

                                                                                           Wood carving Upper part of Door

                                                                                              Wood carving Window

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…