Top handicrafts of Kashmir are

• Kashmiri carpets
• Kashmiri shawls
• Wood carving
• Paper mache
• Crewel
• Namdha
• Phool Kari
• Basohli painting
• Calico painting

KASHMIRI CARPET: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Kashmir is known for its enchanting valley and incomparable craftsmanship of handmade and hand-knotted carpets. Kashmiri rugs are made of pure wool and silk. Kashmir’s hand-crafted carpet has vivid, jewel-like color tones. Kashmir handcrafted rugs are sapphire blue, emerald green, aquamarine, ruby red, amethyst, and ivory in color. Kashmiri rugs are typically made in eastern floral designs with significant motifs such as chinar tree, and tree-of-life. Kashmir handicraft is a symbolic reflection of the traditional and ancient Kashmiri hospitality, affection, and comfort. From 15th-century A.D carpet is crafted in Kashmir. In history, Kashmir’s king, sultan Zainul Aabideen, popular with the name of Budshah, carried the most expensive rug and sold the Sotheby’s antique Persian carpet for $33 million.

KASHMIR SHAWLS: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Kashmiri shawls are warm and can enhance any outfit. Kashmir is the place where fiber shawls are handwoven and embroidered for many years. Pashmina and Shahtoosh shawl are two world-famous shawls woven in Kashmir. Kashmir shawls are partially or entirely woven from goat hair called ‘Pashm’. Pashm shāla are made from the hair of domesticated goats and Asli tūsh are made from the hair of wild goats. Pashmina wool is famous for being soft and warm, luxurious, and also famous as the world’s best wool. Finest Kashmiri wool comes from the valley of the Himalayas.

WOOD CARVING: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Kashmiri wood carving is not only famous in India, but it’s also a worldwide famous handicraft of Kashmir. The motifs make it look different from other woodwork. Carved rustic wood is one of Kashmir’s most famous crafts. Kashmir is also one of the few regions of the world where walnuts WOODEN HANDICRAFTS are still accessible. The hard and strong wood enables fine and systematic work to give an even texture. Small carvings are done on trays, tables, bowls, and other items also give a significant impact when done on polished surfaces.  With the assistance of small indigenous tools, the carving is finished. The art of carving wood is centralized in the town of Srinagar in Kashmir.

PAPERMACHE : HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Kashmiri handicraft paper Mache is another perfect way to enhance the beauty of a home and filling it with stuff that can make a house admirable. The Persian mystic Mir Syed Ali Hamdani launched paper mache to India in the 14th century. Kashmiri craftsmen have over time flourished their art form and worked around the globe. Kashmir handicrafts have two main aspects of the paper mache- Sakhzazi and Naqashi. Sakhsazi is the type of formation of an artifact with a pulp of paper, which is painted and decorated with Naqashi. The paper pulp is soaked in water for three or four days in the Sakhtsazi stage of making a Kashmiri paper mache piece. It is then set in a stone mortar and in a surface so that the whole paper gets consistent. Until being combined with a kind of rice glue, the pulp is kept dry in the light. A base coat of paint is applied during the Naqashi stage. PaperMache of Kashmir handicraft is beautifully designed with vibrant colors and sold worldwide. Flowers, box designs, jungle motifs, and Kashmiri symbols like almonds and the chinar, a five-pointed leaf, are some common themes on Kashmiri paper mache items.

CREWEL: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Kashmir handicraft Crewel is a kind of embroidery done in the form of chain stitch rows with a hook shape tool on clothes. It’s done to create an emboss effect and give richness to the fabric. Crewel is usually used for upholstery and drapery. Crewel embroidery is done on heavy and dense material. It carries floral and creeper designs. To create embroidery, single and multi-colored threads are used. The price of the item depends on the embroidery on the fabric. You can see crewel Kashmir art embroidery on shawls, outfits, bedspreads, wall decor items.

NAMDA: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Namda is a local term in Kashmir that means a rug of wool. Namda is rugs made by layering the wool fibers with water, soap, and pressure and then embroidering the subsequent cloth. These are used commonly as an essential and inexpensive floor covering and mattress in Kashmiri households. Typically, two styles of plain and embroidery rugs are used. ‘Painja’ is a wooden tool used to beat huge and fluffy wool. Originally, Namda relates to Jammu and Kashmir region.

PHOOLKARI: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Phoolkari, Bagh, or Shaloo is a type of phulkari embroidery. In older times, it was done on bride dress in Kashmir. But now, it has taken the form of a fashion statement and has its own identity in the fashion world. In Punjab, Phoolkari indicates a style of floral design embroidery. The shawls are embellished with floral patterns, various designs from Neemdoor, Paladaar, Baildaar, Doordaar,  Jaalis, and Jammas with the aid of a needle. Kani shawls are woven on looms with the help of Kani. The Kanis, rather than the shuttle, are small eyeless bobbins.

BASOHLI PAINTING: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

Basohli painting is another best art form of Kashmir and Jammu handicraft. In the 18th century, Basohli paintings emerged as a distinctive painting type that blended Hindu mythology, Mughal miniature, and the traditional art of the local hills. The painting style is named after the hill town of Basohli in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, its place of origin. The colors, the red borders, and the bold lines are the rich symbols mark in the painting. The faces of the drawn figures are distinguished by the recessing front and broad expressive eyes, shaped like lotus petals. The painting mostly painted in red, blue, and yellow bright colors. Basohli painting is done on soft linen fabric .basohli painting is beautiful handmade paintings.

CALICO PAINTING: HANDICRAFTS OF KASHMIR

In Kashmir handicraft, calico printing is also a very famous art. It is just like block printing which is done in the Rajasthan region also. Samba, a small town about 40 km from Jammu, is a famous Block Printing center on the Jammu Pathankot highway. Calico Printing is very common. For printing, vegetable colors are used. Wooden blocks are dipped in vegetable colors to print the floor and bed coverings.

India is a land of festivities. Throughout the year, people find reasons to celebrate life. Even the Festivals and fairs celebrated here are associated with some meaningful lessons and morals of life. Various fairs are organised all around the year in almost every part of the country. These fairs are celebrated for different reasons like religious purposes, trade of animals and showcasing art forms. So let’s have a look at some of the Famous Fairs in India.

1. Kumbh Mela

This fair takes place four times every 12 years. It takes place alternatively in four locations that are Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain And Nashik. It is celebrated according to the relative astrological positions of Sun, Moon and Jupiter. This fair is celebrated by taking a holy dip in the rivers that flow through respective cities. The most famous Kumbh is held in Prayagraj at the Sangam (confluence) of  Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati (mythical river). Around 24 crore people attended the 2019 Kumbh mela at Prayagraj.

2. Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar town in Rajasthan, meaning flower in Hindi, is famous for its annual cattle fair. During the later phase of the festive period, the devotees who come to to take part in this fair, take a dip in the holy Sarovar Lake of the city. This is a famous Indian fair which attracts tourists from all over the world. It is known for Camel trading and people can also participate in activities like camel rides, desert safari. An interesting and unique competition named ‘Longest Moustache’ is also conducted during it. The Pushkar fair is a very vibrant occasion, which is full of colours, lights, traditional clothing, jewelry etc.

3. Gangasagar Mela

Every year on the Makar Sankranti festival, the place near the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal celebrates the fair named Gangasagar Mela. People visit this fair to take a holy dip in the river Ganges, worship Surya Dev and then seek blessings from the Kapil Muni temple. It takes place at the beautiful Gangasagar or Sagar Island. About 18 lakh people had visited this fair in 2018. Naga Sadhus also visit this festival to do their worship.

4. Sonepur Fair

This is the largest cattle fair of Bihar. This Cattle Fair is held in November on the full moon day at the confluence of the rivers Gandak and Ganges. It is also known as the Harihar Chhetra Mela. Various breeds of animals like buffalos, horses, birds and elephants are sold in this fair. Haathi Bazaar is even one of the biggest events of this fair. People not only from India, but also from Asia come to witness its grandeur event.

5. Nagaur Fair

This 8 day fair is held every year in the months of January- February. It is the second largest cattle fair in Rajasthan. Animals like camels, horses, cows, goats and sheep are traded in this fair. They are also decorated and even a beauty contest is organised to choose the best animal. Mirchi Bazaar is set up in this fair, where jewelry, handicrafts and wooden items are put for sale. Various Traditional cuisines are also arranged in this fair for visitors to experience them. A vibrant firework show is organised in the night to add to the fair’s beauty.

6. Urs Ajmer Sharif

This fair is held in Ajmer in the memory of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti to commemorate his death anniversary. It is held over a period of 6 days in the 7th month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Night long Qawwali singing is a very unique event organised in it. Dazzling events are organised to celebrate the brotherhood and love amongst people. ‘Kheer'(a pudding like dish of milk and rice) is prepared in large quantities and enjoyed by people.

7. Surajkund Crafts Fair

Every year from 1 to 15 February a unique cultural festival takes place in a town in Haryana named Surajkund located 8 kilometres from Delhi. This showcases some of the finest Handloom and handicraft traditions of the country. Traditional craftsmen like painters, artists, sculptors, weavers participate in this fair to showcase their art and talent. Artisans from SAARC nations also visit this fair. Every year, a specific state of India is chosen as the theme of the fair. Various cultural performances are conducted in the evenings for entertainment and enjoyment of the public.

8. Hemis Gompa Fair (Ladhak)

Hemis Gompa Fair is celebrated every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. It is held at the Hemis Monastery. It is celebrated on the 9th and 10th day according to the Tibetan calendar. This fair traces its roots long back in the history of Buddhist traditions. Lamas perform the ‘Mask Dance’ along with traditional music, chanting and worshipping. The mask dance depicts the battle between god and evil. People dress in traditional clothes and celebrate this colorful fair with full enthusiasm.

Rathas are in the shape of Chariot. There are five monolithic structures projecting above the beach, known as the Five Rathas or the Pandava Rathas. Biggest Ratha sculpture is of Dharamraja.

 Mandaps are known as cave temples used for social gatherings. They are square in shape and used as shrines. Varaha, Kotikal, dharamraja, Mahishasuramardini, Panchapandava mandapam, Koneri are some of the famous cave temples.

Structural temples were built from cut stones. These temples are dedicated to shiva and Vishnu. One of the oldest temple is shore temple as it is near to the shore. It is dedicated to the lord Shiva surrounding by his vehicle Nandi. Olakkanesvara temple and Mukundanayanar templeare other temples which have been ruined now and only builidings are there.

Rock reliefs are the carvings on rocks. ‘Descent of Ganges’ or  ‘Arjuna penance’ is the most significant and an open air rock relief. It is believed  to be Bagirath’s  penace to bring the Ganges to the earth. It is also one of the largest bas-relief works in the world.

Mahabalipuram is not only famous for its sculptures and ancient monuments, also famous for its sandy beaches and crafts. To see the ancient history remnants and sculptures, one should visit this historical place. It is very easy to reach this tourist place as it is near to Chennai and nearest air and rail transport is Chennai. To visit the place, climate is suitable throughout the year.