Dance with the Himalayas...

Pictured above is the pahari dance - Kullvi Naati. A dance form of Kullu. Girls and boys are wearing the traditional dresses.On special occasions,functions such dance is performed by all. One doesn't need to be trained in the dance form. You just follow the rhythm and your feet starts moving it-selves

Village Life

A building across the road on the way to Manali (Himachal Pradesh, INDIA). Hay is stored for winters to feed the cattle. It is a common scene here at Himachal, mostly each household in villages have domesticated animals mainly cows. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main source of living here.

In this picture, the building shown is used as a residence, warehouse for vegetables, grains etc grown and also has a huge stock of hay for the cattle which reside in the ground floor.

Jagannathi Temple

Idol of Goddess Jagannathi in the temple.

Priest performing the pooja, in the pic above he is blowing "the Shankh" or "the conch Shell"

The Tiger at the entrance of the temple.

The Temple

Another view of the temple.

I am a great devotee of Jagannathi Maa, I have always felt her presence. Like a mother she has been always with me in all my ups and down. This temple is situtated near my home.

Walk with Faith

Usually God is transported from one place to anotheron foot by humans only.Very rarely the modern transportation system is used.

A devotee carying God on his shoulder.

Having some rest in the midway. Very long journeys are covered on foot only. Its the faith and ultimate devotion for God that doesn't cause any fatigue or pain but it gives them more energy and power to cover the distance.

Leisure & Pleasure

An elderly man dressed traditionaly with Kulvi cap in Jana Village smoking hookah.

Hookah are single or multi-stemmed (often glass-based) water pipe for smoking. The concept of hookah originated in India, once the province of the wealthy, it was tremendously popular especially during Mughal rule. The hookah has since become less popular, however it is once again garnering the attention of the masses, and cafés and restaurants that offer it as a consumable are popular. Hookahs is used in many villages as per traditional customs. Smoking molasses in a hookah is now becoming popular amongst the youth in India. It is a growing trend amongst youngsters and adolescents. There are several chain clubs, bars and coffee shops in India offering a variety of hookahs. The new trends emerging are that of non-tobacco hookahs with herbal flavors.

Me trying the tobacco in the Hookah, the villagers were looking at me with equal and being caught by my friend.