Off to the Parade

Lonely Planet describes India as the land of festivals. With its huge diversity of religions and cultural groups, just about every day is a celebration or holiday somewhere in the country. On occasion the teachers at the language school tell us in advance about some festival or other going-on in town, but most of the time, I simply run into noisy parades winding through the narrow streets of Landour without notice. Having seen several parades now, I have to confess that they all seem rather similar to me so far. There are the obligatory brass bands from local schools. There is the horrible noise-box – a gaudy silver-colored tin contraption pulled behind a truck, blaring music at an immense volume that I’m pretty sure would be illegal in the US. And then there are the open truck beds carrying people dressed up in all manner of costume – some of whom are men dressed like women. Not sure what that’s all about. These photos were from last week, when, while minding my own business in the bazaar, shopping for my weekly staples (beer and bananas), I was forced to jump into a gutter by a parade procession and associated people and vehicles coming down the hill. After half an hour with my fingers shoved into my ears to prevent permanent hearing loss, I was able to continue up the hill, having been treated to the sight of yet another incomprehensible but fascinating and colorful moving celebration.






Speaking of festivals, the celebration of Karwa Chauth (also known as Women’s Day) was observed today in Mussourie. Popular all over north India, this day is celebrated by married and soon-to-be married women, who fast all day to pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands and fiancees. Observant women break their fast at night after seeing the moon, and are then fed sweets by their husbands and often given jewelery or other gifts. All the married female professors at the language school were dressed up in beautiful saris, with intricate henna work on their hands. Here’s a photo of a local woman in her beautiful Karwa Chauth sari.