
Maun Mela fishing festival and traffic near twin bridges in Uttarakhand
festival · hills
Maun Mela, a traditional community fishing festival held along the Aglar River in the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India.
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Villagers participate in traditional river fishing practices during the Maund Mela in the Himalayan regions of Tehri Garhwal, Jaunsar, and Rawai. Men enter the fast-flowing river waters to cast and manage fishing nets while navigating strong mountain currents. Some participants swim across sections of the river as part of the collective fishing activity that has been practised for generations in rural Himalayan communities. A natural substance derived from the Timur plant is traditionally used to temporarily stun fish, allowing villagers to catch them together in the flowing water. Several villagers proudly display the fish they have caught while a man beats a traditional dhol drum, adding rhythm and energy to the gathering. The event reflects local knowledge of river ecosystems, community
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