During the searing hot months of August and early September 1998 I left Lucknow to stay in the hilly region of Kumaon (now part of Uttarakhand, India), where I could work in a more comfortable environment, go for walks, and become acquainted with the culture of the area. That was the time the whole region was celebrating their local goddess Nanda Devi. In Almora, there was a multiday observance that included temple rituals, processions, continuous telling of the goddess’s story (jāgaṛ), and nightly cultural programs of music, dance, drama and comedy from visiting artists of the larger region. The gallery below includes photographs and links to video and audio recordings.
