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Kashmir: In Srinagar, a Muslim Potter Family Makes Diyas for Diwali Festivities
Kashmir: In Srinagar, a Muslim Potter Family Makes Diyas for Diwali Festivities

By Mehroob Mushtaq

A potter family in Srinagar makes diyas to be used during Diwali. The ‘diyas’ are in great demand and are a shining example of inter-faith harmony in the valley.

A potter family in Srinagar makes diyas to be used during Diwali. The ‘diyas’ are in great demand and are a shining example of inter-faith harmony in the valley.

Shortly after the Puri Rath Yatra, another village in Odisha celebrates its own unique version
Shortly after the Puri Rath Yatra, another village in Odisha celebrates its own unique version

By Niroj Ranjan Misra

The renowned rath yatra in Odisha takes on special significance in Remanda village in Jharsuguda, where it starts three days after the Puri rath yatra, and is flagged off by a ceremony called chhera pahanra, which has traditionally been undertaken by only Muslims in this village. It was celebrated this year on June 23.

The renowned rath yatra in Odisha takes on special significance in Remanda village in Jharsuguda, where it starts three days after the Puri rath yatra, and is flagged off by a ceremony called chhera pahanra, which has traditionally been undertaken by only Muslims in this village. It was celebrated this year on June 23.

The Kitemakers of Handipura, Jaipur’s 150-yo Kite Market
The Kitemakers of Handipura, Jaipur’s 150-yo Kite Market

By Parul Kulshreshta

Jaipur has an old tradition of flying kites on Makar Sankranti. It is said that Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh loved the tradition of kite flying and brought it to Jaipur. Special kites made of cloth that were called ‘Tukkal’ were made for the royals who used to fly them from the palace terrace. Kite-flying later became a community event on Sakrant.

Jaipur has an old tradition of flying kites on Makar Sankranti. It is said that Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh loved the tradition of kite flying and brought it to Jaipur. Special kites made of cloth that were called ‘Tukkal’ were made for the royals who used to fly them from the palace terrace. Kite-flying later became a community event on Sakrant.

Jaipur’s Centuries Old Tradition of ‘Gulaal Gota’ Holi
Jaipur’s Centuries Old Tradition of ‘Gulaal Gota’ Holi

By Parul Kulshreshta

Jaipur’s royals played Holi with gulaal gota, wafer thin lac balls filled with dry colours, which have been handcrafted by Muslim artisans since the 1700s.

Jaipur’s royals played Holi with gulaal gota, wafer thin lac balls filled with dry colours, which have been handcrafted by Muslim artisans since the 1700s.

Dussehra: Behind the Scenes With Bhopal’s Traditional Effigy Makers
Dussehra: Behind the Scenes With Bhopal’s Traditional Effigy Makers

By Pooja Yadav

For generations, the Basor community in Madhya Pradesh, which is associated with working with baans (bamboo), has been making the effigies of Ravana which are burnt on Dussehra.

For generations, the Basor community in Madhya Pradesh, which is associated with working with baans (bamboo), has been making the effigies of Ravana which are burnt on Dussehra.

'The banyan tree, where water cannons were used to disperse rioters, became the venue for the Rajasthan Kabir Yatra'
'The banyan tree, where water cannons were used to disperse rioters, became the venue for the Rajasthan Kabir Yatra'

By Pankaja Srinivasan

Rajasthan Kabir Yatra, India's longest travelling folk music festival, is underway from October 2-8. This 'pilgrimage' is co-hosted by Rajasthan Police under its Project Taana Baana. Poet saints of Rajasthan have helped the police to strengthen the warp and weft of communal amity. To know more about this initiative, Gaon Connection strikes up a conversation with Dr Amandeep Singh Kapoor, Director, Central Detective Training Institute, Jaipur, which is under the Bureau of Police Research & Development, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Rajasthan Kabir Yatra, India's longest travelling folk music festival, is underway from October 2-8. This 'pilgrimage' is co-hosted by Rajasthan Police under its Project Taana Baana. Poet saints of Rajasthan have helped the police to strengthen the warp and weft of communal amity. To know more about this initiative, Gaon Connection strikes up a conversation with Dr Amandeep Singh Kapoor, Director, Central Detective Training Institute, Jaipur, which is under the Bureau of Police Research & Development, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Age Old Tradition of Making Aalta Patra for Chhath Puja
The Age Old Tradition of Making Aalta Patra for Chhath Puja

By Sanjit Bharti

Aalta Patra is offered to the Sun God during Chhath Puja. There are communities in Bihar that have been traditionally making these flat and papad-like offerings.

Aalta Patra is offered to the Sun God during Chhath Puja. There are communities in Bihar that have been traditionally making these flat and papad-like offerings.

Navratri, Dussehra, and Nostalgia
Navratri, Dussehra, and Nostalgia

By Nidhi Jamwal

There are some memories that will never go away. Here is one of mine — of climbing up 13 kilometres to the Vaishno Devi shrine. And eating hot, sticky and crisp jalebis on Dussehra.

There are some memories that will never go away. Here is one of mine — of climbing up 13 kilometres to the Vaishno Devi shrine. And eating hot, sticky and crisp jalebis on Dussehra.

She travelled from Mumbai to a remote village in Kargil to find a purpose in life — Teaching
She travelled from Mumbai to a remote village in Kargil to find a purpose in life — Teaching

By Laraib Fatima Warsi

Twenty-seven-year-old Rana Jyoti, a media professional, moved to Kargil to teach rural children from underprivileged backgrounds in Yourbaltak village in Ladakh. She has also spent two years teaching village kids in Himachal Pradesh.

Twenty-seven-year-old Rana Jyoti, a media professional, moved to Kargil to teach rural children from underprivileged backgrounds in Yourbaltak village in Ladakh. She has also spent two years teaching village kids in Himachal Pradesh.

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