Famed over the centuries for being India's most enigmatic celebration of Dussehra, Kullu's Dussehra remains as unique as it was 5 centuries ago. This year, Rajputana Collective is privileged to have Kullu's Dei Saab Rupeshwari Kumari Singh account for what these divine festivities have meant to her- as the eldest child and daughter of the house of Kullu. My memory takes me to the Dussehra of 2001 when I was merely 3 years old. My grandfather called for me, I see myself runnin

The sleepy town of Bundi awoke with great anticipation on the morning of the Navsamvatsar. The 2nd of April, 2022 coincided with the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which formally heralds the new year for North India. The beginning of the year 2079 of the Vikram Samvat, a year filled with hope and revival, especially so, after the 2 years of the pandemic. However, for the people of Bundi, it was the eagerness to participate in an ancient tradition of the anointment o

A devotee carrying a divine palanquin on Dussehra The incumbent Raja Maheshwar Singhji of Kullu ahead of the Dussehra festivities THE ROYAL INTRIGUE & A BRAHMIN’S CURSE   Once upon a time, the then Raja of Kullu erroneously convicted a holy man of royal intrigue. His misjudgement cost the innocent victim his life through self-immolation, and until his very last breath, the burning man cursed the Raja for his haughtiness. In lieu of insulting him, the puritan vindictively prop

Once in a year, during the onset of the Hindu New Year, people from all spheres and walks of life unite to celebrate the divine wedlock of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva in Rajasthan’s most important local festival. The celestial communion of Gan (Shiva) with Gauri (Parvati), Gangaur entails a series of communal prayers, fast observances, domestic rituals and festive processions that bring Rajasthan to its celebratory best; and culminates in the bidaai ceremony or departure

“I realised that no credible online resources existed for rajput families that were looking for matches for their children. There were a couple of commercially motivated players, but nothing that had the personal touch, albeit virtual, of a confident and counsel in a matter which is perhaps the most important to parents” says Kunwarani Tripti Singh, the founder and pioneering lady behind Gathjor, the first-ever online matrimonial community dedicated specifically to Rajputs wo