Nuptial

The water and incense are in my hand, The golden platter is in my hand. Tell me, who is her groom? To who should I give this dust-water dower? The one who stands with the writhing snakes, He is the one; your daughter groom. I shan’t give my daughter, your snakes will bite her. The welcoming light is in my hand; To whom shall I give this dust-water dower? The one who is wearing leopard skin, He is the one; your daughter’s groom. My girl will be frightened; I shant’s give my daughter. The golden platter is still in my hand; To whom shall I give this dust-water dower? The one who is wearing a garment of snakes; To him you must give the dust-water dower. (traditional song from Uttarakhand written down and translated into English by William Sax) Martushka Fromeast has been photographing different cults on Nanda Devi, Bliss-giving Goddess of Uttarakhand, since 2014. People of Uttarakhand believe that Nanda Devi is a consort of Lord Shiva. The series consists of pictures documenting Nanda festivals happening annually to celebrate the rhythm of agricultural year, Besaki and Nanda Estemi as well as local weddings and Nanda Devi Raj Yatra, a pilgrimage taking place in Himalayas every 12 years which is symbolically bringing newly married goddess Nanda to her husband’s home in Kailash.