Traditional Jewelleries of the Uttarakhand: An Introduction

The geographical and socio-cultural legacy of Uttarakhand is very diversifying as its civilization has developed by means of inaccessible and different geographical setting. The region has attracted several castes and tribes at different times. These castes, tribes had their own different customs, folk music, food habits, costumes and ornaments, thus the Uttarakhand is known as the confluence of different cultures. The glimpse and detailed information of the civilization and culture of any community and region come from their customs, festivals and fairs, worship and handicraft exhibition etc. Therefore, Study of the culture of Uttarakhand is the story of the development of human civilization. A glimpse of the traditional dress and jeweleries is seen here in religious festivals, fairs, wedding occasions and idols are the unmatched examples of the customary culture of Uttarakhand region, for example, the goddess Dwibhuji Devi along Gomti River, near Baijnath area of Bageshwar district is also adorned with traditional ornaments such as necklace, Ekavali necklace, Ekavali and Pajeb in her feet. Similarly, in the 9^th century idol of goddess Parvati recovered from Almora city found with Kundal, Hasuli, Ekavali, Bhujband, Katisutra etc. In the 12^th century idol of Udichyveshi Surya, he is depicted wearing a Husuli, a wreath, a long garland of strings, a Waistband, a Cholak, a Banamala. However, interest of the people of the hilly region towards the traditional costumes and ornaments have been subdued due to modernity. Therefore it becomes important that we should have to transfer the knowledge of our folk literature, traditions, festivals, customs, beliefs and folk costumes as well as people's traditional jewelery to the upcoming generation so that our culture does not become vanished.