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

In a bygone era where only a finite number of Fiats, Ambassadors and Heralds paraded the deserted Indian roads, P.V. Narasimha Rao’s economic reforms effectively struck the Indian automobile sector at its fundamental core and changed the game forever. Post 1992, multinational automakers such as Hyundai (South Korea), Suzuki & Toyota (Japan) began establishing a coherent automotive industry in India. In no time, the Indian consumer was almost spoilt with choices when he went o

When most of the world lay in deep slumber to wake up grudgingly to the next day, he had already returned from his morning walk, beaming due to the birds that he saw in the park. Amidst passer-bys who were hurriedly pacing through their health march, the ardent bird-watcher would leisurely sense the distinct call of the Coppersmith. He spent an entire centenary living an independent and healthy life, divorcing anger for its hazardous mental constraints. A man of fine dressing