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The Gods of Kulu (1909)

An ethnographic account, documenting the religious beliefs, rituals, and cultural practices of the people living in the Kulu region, particularly around the Kulu town, during the early 20th century. It explores various deities worshipped in the region, such as Sibji (Bijli Mahdeu), Jamlu, and Narsingh Bir, shedding light on their origins, significance, and the rituals associated with them. Additionally, it discusses the cultural context of Kulu at the time, highlighting the practicality and self-respect of its inhabitants despite their deeply rooted religious beliefs.

By Admin, ago

Colin Rosser and the ‘hermit’ village of Malana: a lost classic of village studies ethnography

Of the first wave of village studies ethnographers, it was Colin Rosser who chose what was—physically and psychologically—perhaps the most challenging location to undertake fieldwork.  After graduating from the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge, Rosser joined the newly created Dept of Cultural Anthropology at SOAS in 1950 to study for a PhD under the supervision of Professor Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf. Perhaps because he had served as a Gurkha officer in India in the Second World War, Rosser favoured the Himalayas as his PhD field site and he remained attached to the region for the rest of his working life.

By Admin, ago

A Word on the “Wise Collection” by Rupert Simmington

“Major William Edmund Hay is a largely forgotten figure, known only for being the first Assistant Commissioner of Kulu and the first European resident of Naggar Castle.1 It was only three years ago when Hay’s greatest achievement came to light, with the publication of a book by Dr Diana Lange, of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Humboldt University, Berlin. An Atlas of the Himalayas by a 19th Century Tibetan Lama – Read more…

By Admin, ago

Indrakshi Stotram in a Tankari Manuscript from Banjar of Kullu

This is an attempt to understand the Indrākṣī stōtram (इन्द्राक्षी स्तोत्रम्) written in a Tankri (ṭāṅkrī टांकरी) Manuscript from Banjar. Tankri with Scribal Errors ॐ श्री गणशाए नमो॥देवी सारसुतियं नमो॥आथ इद्रागशीपंइद्रगशी॥भरजा देवी॥पीतवसत्रदोयं स्थंभ वंमहसेतेन वज्यधरं॥दगशणन वरंप्र॥१॥ Intended Sanskrit Verse ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः॥देवी सरस्वत्यै नमः॥अथ इन्द्राक्षी (स्तोत्रम्)॥इन्द्राक्षीं द्विभुजां देवीं पीतवस्त्रद्वया(न्विताम्*)॥वामहस्ते वज्रधरां दक्षिणेन वरप्र(दाम्)॥१॥ Salutations to Ganesha! Salutations to Saraswati!This is Indrakshi StotramThe two-armed Indrakshi wears yellow cloths,And has Vajra in her right hand and Read more…

By Project Pahari, ago

Waziris of the erstwhile state of Kullu

The administration of Kullu in the times of Rajas was broken up into provinces called ‘waziris’. A ‘waziri’ was divided into ‘kothis’, each of which further had two to five subdivisions called ‘phatis’. Each ‘phati’ had, depending on the population density, up to twenty separate villages within it. The Waziris were governed by civil governors called Wazirs who answered to the Prime Minister (Chauntra Wazir) of the Raja. In addition, the ‘kothis’ in a Waziri employed a sizable staff of officials and subordinates, all of whom were appointed by the Raja himself.

By Kulwant Singh Thakur, ago

कुल्लू क्षेत्र का राखस-खेल (लोकनाट्य)

यह लेख मौलू राम ठाकुर द्वारा लिखित पुस्तक ‛हिमाचल प्रदेश के लोकनाट्य और लोकानुरंजन’ (1981) तथा विपाशा पत्रिका (अंक 33-34, 1990) में छपे उनके लेख ‛कुल्लू क्षेत्र की लोक नाट्य परम्परा’ को एकीकृत कर तैयार किया गया है। हिमाचल प्रदेश के अनेक भागों में पौष और माघ महीनों को ‛काला महीना’ कहते हैं। अनुश्रुति है कि इन दिनों देवता स्वर्ग-लोक को जाते हैं। वहां उनका वार्षिक समारोह होता है। इस समारोह मे देवताओं के Read more…

By Admin, ago

कुल्लू का मोहक लोक-नृत्य: नाटी | सोमसी आलेख (1976)

हिमाचल कला, संस्कृति एवं भाषा अकादमी की त्रैमासिक शोध पत्रिका सोमसी के वर्ष 2 अंक 3 (जुलाई 1976) में छपा पुरोहित चन्द्रशेखर ‘बेबस’ जी का एक लेख। महाभारत में किसी ‘उत्सव क्षेत्र’ का उल्लेख मिलता है। वह ठहरता तो हर हाल में हिमाचल प्रदेश में ही है पर कुछ विद्वानों ने उसे किन्नौर जिला या शतुद्र घाटी अनुमाना है, जबकि गहराई से बाचने, जांचने और ‘उत्सव संकेत’ शब्द के भावों और लक्षणों के मिलाने Read more…

By Admin, ago

कुल्लू के घटना और श्रमप्रधान गीत

“सम्पूर्ण पुस्तक यहाँ पढ़ें” घेशू लोभीया यह गीत एक दुखद घटना पर आधारित है। कुल्लू के कुछ लोग पुरुष, स्त्री चंबा में जंगलात के ठेकेदार के साथ काम पर गए थे। उनमें घेशू और उनकी पत्नी भी थी। सुंदर नाम का एक युवक घेशू की पत्नी पर आशिक हो गया। वह घेशू को शराब पीने के बहाने गांव में ले गया और वहां उसे मार दिया। परन्तु घेशू की पत्नी उस के हाथ न Read more…

By Admin, ago

Raksasa Lore in the Kulu Valley

As appeared in ‘Eastern Approaches: Essays on Asian Art and Archaeology’, edited by T. S. Maxwell. Delhi, 1992. Rākśasa Lore in the Kulu Valley by Gabriele Jettmar-Thakur The Western Himalaya is believed to be infested with evil spirits who constantly interfere with gods and men. The ancient Kulu state, situated on the banks of the river Beas, houses some 360 deities and is called ‘The Valley of the Gods’. There are probably as many Read more…

By Admin, ago

Basheshar Mahadev Temple of Bajaura, Kullu

Bajaura is a small town in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on the right bank of river Beas about 14 km south of Kullu town. Several temples and a large fort once existed in Bajaura indicating it was an important centre of social, cultural and economic activity in the past. The ruins of the fort itself were still visible towards the end of the nineteenth century. It stood majestically on the Read more…

By Kulwant Singh Thakur, ago

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