Himachal Paradesh Traditional Wear

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Himachal Pradesh is the Indian state which resides in the lap of mighty Himalayas. The natives of the state are known as?Pahari?. The culture of Himachal Pradesh is rich in diversity and traditions, and thanks to the lofty terrains and challenging reach, it is not yet influenced by the western glitters, largely. There are many communities, many religions, and people from different castes that dwell in harmony in this state. Their cultures are exhibited in their traditions, rituals and their dresses.

The attire of Himachal people is very beautiful and vibrant. And it?s made according to the harsh weather conditions that linger all year round. Warm and cozy, the handwoven dresses are an attraction for people who visit the state from other parts of the country and world. Right from the caps to the dresses to the footwear, most of it is weaved manually. The handloom has risen to become the cultural identity of Himachal Pradesh.

Men

There are mainly two classes in which the community of Himachal Pradesh has been divided: Rajput and Brahmins. The attires are largely identical, but some differences can be noted.

Rajput Men wear tight churidar Pyjamas with kurta and long silk overcoat over it. The overcoats are designed with yak leather and gold threads which help them keep warm. They wear a turban on their heads which are color-dyed and starch-stiffened. Turbans along with mustaches are considered as a symbol of pride and honor among the Rajputs.

Brahmin Men can be seen wearing dhoti and kurta along with a waistcoat or an overcoat and sometimes a turban. Priests mostly wear white clothes and a small soft towel-like cloth on their shoulders.

For occasions and festive ceremonies, men wear new kurta pajamas along with embroidered caps or turbans and sometimes shawls.  

Women's

Rajput women wear long kurtas stretching from their neck to their toe. This began following the purdah (veil) system which is no more prevalent in the region. They also wear Ghaghris, Salwar-Kameez, and cholis. Cholis are the shirts which are worn on the upper part with a long skirt and a lot of bangles.

Brahmin women also wear similar clothing like salwar kameez and ghagra choli. For occasions and celebrations like weddings, they wear long pajamas, traditional ghagra choli woven at homes with intricate embroidery and new rings and bangles. Footwear is designed

by grass and animal skin to keep the feet warm.

Jewelry And Ornaments 

There are many ornaments and jewelry that are worn by both Brahmin and Rajput women: Chakk (silver domed and worn on the top of head), Chanderhar (necklace or pendant worn in weddings), Chiri (similar to maangtika), Toke (wristbands), Part (foot necklace), jhumka (earrings), etc

Pashmina Shawl

It is a kind of Shawl that is made from the hair of Pashmina goat. These shawls are demanded all over the world throughout the year. The special trait of this shawl is that it is very light weighted and soft but still keeps warm in harsh and cold winter. They are sold in different color shades with intricate embroideries and delicate designs which make them very costly at times. To the Pashmina fiber, some soft silk is also added to make it feel smoother and shine bright   

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Thanks : Jagdish Kumar