Raja Maheshwar Singh is the present hereditary Raja (King) of Kullu. His role is largely ceremonial, and particularly prominent during the religious festivities of Dussehra. I joined his procession a couple of times and took these images. The procession is rife with symbolism: a small horse leads the parade, symbolizing the King's chariot; and several Gods from various villages accompany him in homage.
Oscarsmadness wrote:
These are good! I love how the colors look natural.
What are those large trumpet things? Part of me wants one.
Thanks. These traditional instruments are called Thonkrus. They are supposed to herald the coming of the Gods into the valley, but in this case it was the king.
Great shots. I too like the colors. He doesn't look like he is enjoying the ride and certainly not very friendly, starring off into the distance and not what is happening around him. I'll bet he never did look at the camera.
I too am a "Charley", and go by CharleyL on this site. My mom spelled it this way when she first taught me to write it, so I have been spelling it this way ever since. It makes us a little different from the rest of the "Charlies" in the World. I have met others who spell it this way, but there aren't many of us. The L is the first letter of my last name and used this way on all of the websites that I access. Now I have found another Charley. It's good to know you.
Great images Charley! I consider his facial look regal...did he ever smile as he was carried? HE means business!
The horns are fantastic!!!!!
Great images all!!!
Dan
CharleyL wrote:
Great shots. I too like the colors. He doesn't look like he is enjoying the ride and certainly not very friendly, starring off into the distance and not what is happening around him. I'll bet he never did look at the camera.
I too am a "Charley", and go by CharleyL on this site. My mom spelled it this way when she first taught me to write it, so I have been spelling it this way ever since. It makes us a little different from the rest of the "Charlies" in the World. I have met others who spell it this way, but there aren't many of us. The L is the first letter of my last name and used this way on all of the websites that I access. Now I have found another Charley. It's good to know you.
Great to know you! Yes, I think he was bored. I noticed that he slept part of the time. It is tedious to be presented as a ceremonial figurehead in this fashion. I am sure he is tired of the pomp and circumstance.
I am Canadian and I think that both ways of spelling Charley are acceptable. Canada often falls between the cracks of the US and Britain.
Danpbphoto wrote:
Great images Charlie! I consider his facial look regal...did he ever smile as he was carried? HE means business!
The horns are fantastic!!!!!
Great images all!!!
Dan
Thanks a bunch, Dan. I think you are right, he was quite bored, and slept through most of the procession. He has been through this process every year, for decades. For him, this is likely old hat and tedious. For me, on the other hand, this is the closest I ever came to royalty, so I got a kick out of it!
nugeny wrote:
great and serious ceremony and procession. Great pictures! May I ask: where is this, what country and what religion?
It takes place in Northern India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. The population here is predominantly Hindu, but the villages in the mountains follow very ancient traditions, that are singular to this area of Himachal Pradesh.
charley5 wrote:
Raja Maheshwar Singh is the present hereditary Raja (King) of Kullu. His role is largely ceremonial, and particularly prominent during the religious festivities of Dussehra. I joined his procession a couple of times and took these images. The procession is rife with symbolism: a small horse leads the parade, symbolizing the King's chariot; and several Gods from various villages accompany him in homage.
Nicely done Charles!!! Beautiful imagery, and great storytelling. Thanks for sharing.
Holly
