K. S. Parmar, 71 years old is one of the oldest licenced driver in Uttarakhand. I met him during Chamoli to Rishikesh journey by jeep as he was our jeep driver. His license issue year is approaching fifty years very soon. I personally find his driving skills one of the best in Uttarakhand especially when the roads are hilly. You can find him either at Chamoli taxi stand or at Natraj Chowk, Rishikesh.
Dev – The guide enhanced knowledge by saying – This is Laadu used as ‘tadka‘ (after drying greenish part) almost the same as ‘Garlic tadka’ but mostly in the Himalayan region and is found at high altitudes.
Upon query from another Garhwali person, further knowledge was enhanced. It is also known as Jammu Chora or Jammu Pharn.
(Laadu also Known as Jammu Pharn – This photo was taken near Charan Paduka in Badrinath, Uttarakhand)
This photo was taken at Mana village in Uttarakhand. Upon the query, the shop owner enhanced my knowledge by saying – It is a Bhringraj flower garland. The Bhringraj flower is grown in the Himalayas in the month from September to October. The flower garland can last up to 20 – 25 years, especially if saved from the water. Rs. 300 the cost – she said. She also said it is also known as ban moti but I am not sure because during the Badrinath visit a flower seller showed a garland made from tulsi, burans, genda, and ban moti and the color of ban moti was purple.
Today is the call of time, two children and thousand trees.
During winter days Mana villagers shift to Ghingran, Negwar, Chhinka, Bawla, Bhimtala, Koria villages in the Chamoli District, and there they make handmade woolen clothes that are sold during summer days in or nearby Mana Village.
(As told by B.S. Parmar – The shop owner)
Tejbal Tree Sticks, the first time I saw during the Chamoli to Rishikesh travel by jeep. It was placed on top of the Jeep dashboard. Upon the query, the driver enhanced my knowledge by saying – Tejbal protects a person or a vehicle from evil eyes. It is also used by Sadhus as a walking stick and is also known as Shivkath. During the Mana village visit, I saw them again in shops and many times during our jeep stops at various locations.
Sitting in this cave, Shri Ved Vyas divided the Vedas into four parts and wrote seventeen Puranas. Lord Ganesha was called upon to write the Mahabharata. Even after this, due to a lack of self-satisfaction, at last, he composed eighteen Puranas, Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapurana at this place.