Kangra, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a captivating district in Himachal Pradesh, India. Renowned as the “Land of Gods,” it’s steeped in history and spirituality. The Kangra Valley, blessed with breathtaking landscapes, is home to ancient temples, including the revered Jwalamukhi Devi Temple and the majestic Kangra Fort.
Dharamshala, the district’s administrative headquarters, is a popular tourist destination, especially for its association with Tibetan culture and the Dalai Lama. The serene hill station of McLeod Ganj, with its Tibetan monasteries and vibrant markets, offers a unique cultural experience. Kangra also boasts picturesque tea gardens, lush forests, and opportunities for adventure sports like trekking and paragliding.
Kangra is a beautiful valley located in the lower spurs of the Himalaya which has revealed its ethnicity comments through its dressing style. Kangra has truly outdone itself when it comes to colors and designs of the clothes as they reflect the region’s exquisite art and traditions. Here we have discussed about Kangra traditional dress for female and male .
Traditional Dress for Female of Kangra
Women of Kangra are well dressed and Capri style dresses are quite famous among them and these are decorated with fine cutwork along with comparisons and lush statuettes. The core of their traditional dress comprises:
- Pattoo: This is a heavy piece of clothing worn across the shoulders like a shawl, typically woven by hand, in bright colored woolens and may be decorated with interesting designs. Some it wears over the shoulder while holding it in place by two round metal brooches called “boomini” made of silver.
- Dhatu or Thipu: It is one of the famous Kangra traditional dress . This is a square piece of cloth which is used to cover the head. It is occasionally decorated with embroidery or beadwork.
- Gachchi: This s a round belt made of cloth or embroidered fabric colored and worn around the waist.
- Pullas: These are typical shoes that are made of hemp material normally having pompom of woolen threads.
Male traditional out-fit of the Kangra
The attire that depicts the Kangra men is modest and serves functional purpose as evidence by the region’s Pastoral and Agrarian life. The key elements of their dress include:
- Kurta: A loose middle-aged garment of cotton or wool, reaching about to the knees and bloused over a vest or a coat.
- Dhoti: A garment made of a length of cloth arranged around the waist and legs as a type of lower wear.
- Topi: A hat made from woolen fabric, which has been worn by men and sometimes by women, with stripes of embroidery throughout its crown or with pom poms.
- Chappals: Leather strap sandals or sandals that have been around for so many years they are always associated with socks.
Apart from being clothes to wear or accessories, the Kangra traditional dress symbolized the culture of Kangra. The bright colors, zari work and the variety of the attire of Kangra are mesmerizing and astounding, which still remain an influential part of the state’s culturally identifiable story.
