It is said that ornaments worn by women in Uttarakhand have much resemblance to states like Rajasthan. But, as is the practice these days everywhere else, in Uttarakhand too women wear jewellery mostly on functions, marriages and religious occasions & festivals.
Traditional jewellery of Uttarakhand are very intricately designed. There are two major parts of these ornaments- a nose ring (this is called ‘nath’ locally and almost in every part of the north). It is more popular in the Kumaon region. But they are worn in Garhwal region as well. It is at many times attached to the similarly big ear rings. Overall it becomes very heavy but they wear them with relative ease.
Another major ornament is a big necklace like jewellery called locally as ‘Galoband’. Galobands made of gold will be smaller and bigger ones will be often silver made. Many traditional family jewellery will be passed on to the next generation. Jewellery is often worn very boldly during functions and festivals. They are also the symbol of social and economical status. More the work, higher up in the strata are you so considered.
So here is a gallery of women of Uttarakhand during a religious function for Nanda Devi at a himalayan village Waan in remote area of the state, some time back.
We find it heavy, but you want to see these women dance with all this jewellery on, then see the video below on my YouTube channel-
Very nice post Swami! Well written with good photographs!
Thanks a lot dear for nice words!
Welcome Swami!
beautiful post..
Thanks for appreciating!
Very interesting info!
Thanks Rashmi!
Oh my God. Beautiful and very well captured. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks Rupali. It has been my pleasure!
These images (and these women) are absolutely beautiful.
Thanks a lot Sylvia. I am glad you liked it.
I too feel it must be pretty heavy, but then that is their tradition.
Tradition makes it feel lighter to them perhaps, Alok.
You sure have a knack of capturing people in the most honest way possible. Fantastic images.
Hey, thanks Rajiv! Don’t know whether I am worth those words. I always try to be more intuitive.
Oh you sure are! The emotions that are so clear in these photos are proof!
Cheers,
Rajiv