In the face of overwhelming modernisation, most Indian heritage cities today are stumbling urban relics, rapidly decaying despite our...

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

Back in February 2015, Indian media and news channels were rife with what was commonly as a ‘cross-border Royal wedding’ between the state of Amarkot in Pakistan’s Sindh district and Kanota in India’s state of Rajasthan. Kunwar Karni Singh Sodha, the 27th generation of Amarkot’s Sodha dynasty was tying the knot with Rajkumari Padmini Singh Rathore, daughter Kanota’s Thakur Man Singhji. Known to have ushered the first tika and lagan ceremonies from India to Pakistan in the nat

Since time immemorial, the ceremonial pomp and glamour of Rajput weddings, coronations and gatherings have been complimented by the sheer diversity of royal attires and jewellery adorned by their attendees. Family heirlooms have been carefully preserved, inherited and displayed on these varied occasions whereby various ensembles convey historic tales of their own.   Amidst the native jugalbandi of Jodhpuri safas,  Gujarati patolas, Marwari poshaaks  and zardosi achkans,  one