Photo Essays

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Saving biodiversity, one click at a time

Abdul Qayoom Sofi, raised in Kashmir’s Kanispora Baramulla, developed a profound bond with nature from childhood. Now Block Forest Officer for Jhelum Valley, he dedicates his life to preserving Kashmir’s wildlife, driven by a deep love for the land. His mission is to protect the biodiversity that shaped him.

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Traditional boats – A dying reality

Once a thriving part of the subcontinent, today traditional boats, which include canoes, rafts and sailboats, are all a dying reality. As mechanised boats take over and fishing becomes an organised sector, artisans, as well as the craft of making traditional boats, may become less visible. We take you on a visual journey of boats across India.

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Are we doing enough for our girls?

On National Girl Child Day 2025 we look at the lived realities of girls across rural India. The theme this year is ‘Empowering girls for a brighter future’, but as a society are we doing enough to ensure their health and wellbeing so that they are ready to take on roles of responsibility as adults and future leaders? Let's look at some indicators.

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Munda women are safeguarding indigenous food systems

The Munda tribals of Chota Nagpur in Jharkhand are keeping their culture and identity alive by continuing to practice age-old traditions associated with agriculture.

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Food, the great unifier in a diverse country

The way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach. Village Square compiles visuals from across the rural tracts of India highlighting the place of food in the daily life of all Indians.

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Key Monastery – The Crown Jewel of Spiti

The grand and majestic Key Monastery, nestled on a hill above the Key Village in Spiti Valley, is an important Buddhist centre. It attracts tourists and astrophotographers alike, who can stay in the monastery guest house and enjoy the local food.

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The silent scream of Noh Ka Likai falls 

Behind the breathtaking beauty of India's tallest plunge waterfall lies a heart-wrenching story, one that gives a sorrowful depth to its stunning cascade.

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Himachal’s very own wild cherry blossom

Locally known as Pajja in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, the Wild Himalayan Cherry is native to the lower Himalayan region. The tree bears bitter fruits that the locals don’t consume, but its pink blossoms envelop the landscape beautifully in November.

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Gonbo Rongjon: The mountain where people see God

While Tibetan Buddhists of Zanskar Valley hold the mountain in high spiritual regard, many trekkers and adventurists come simply to experience its grandeur. At 5,520 metres, Gonbo Rongjon is impossible to miss in the remote valley.

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Hornbill festival, a unique spectacle of Nagaland’s cultural roots

The Hornbill festival held in Kohima Nagaland from 1-10 December each year showcases the cultural diversity of the region’s 17 Naga tribes. Featuring traditional music, dance, crafts, and cuisine, this year the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary as it offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the rich heritage of the state.

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Ogla, the blushing buckwheat blossom

Buckwheat, aka ogla, is mostly known for its grain-like seeds used in cooking. But take a look at its flower! When ogla fields blossom in one of the few places it grows in India, the whole Sangla Valley in Himachal Pradesh blushes pink.

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Dreams of Forest Fringe Bodo kids

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On the fringe of the Nameri National Park and Reserve Forest, an initiative is helping develop the education and dreams of Bodo tribal children. A self-sustaining model of school management, the initiative by Assam Investment Advisory Society (AIAS) with the Upendra Nath Brahma ME School provides high quality and holistic education to its children. On Children' s day photographer Vicky Roy shares the story of these children in their native Bodo Language.

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Nature at the heart of Bihar’s vibrant Chhath Puja

As many across the country participate in the sacred rituals of Chhath Puja today, Village Square presents the visual story of the festival.

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Gue, and its 500-year-old secret

A Himachali village bordering Tibet attracts people from all over the world for a mummy that was embalmed here many centuries ago. Here are the chief attractions of this place, known as Gue.

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Chamba’s Minjar: A celebration of tradition, harvest, and culture 

Have you been to the Minjar fair in Himachal’s Chamba district that has become a draw for tourists from across India? This photo essay captures the many moods of the festivities.

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Where Buddha meets the stars in a fossil village

The village of Langza in Spiti Valley is becoming popular not just for its sights, but for the fossils of marine animals and plants. Village Square does a recce of the Himalayan hamlet.

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Good prevails in vibrant hues at the Kulasai Dussehra

Kulasai Dussehra, the festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil is celebrated lavishly in the village of Kulasekharapatnam, in Tamil Nadu’s Thooththukudi district. Village Square presents the celebrations in images.

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When the goddess comes calling

Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and glory not just in the cities, but towns and villages too. Village Square offers glimpses into the celebrations across rural West Bengal.

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There’s art in Ladakh’s choktse, the multi-purpose low table

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Each motif in the ornately carved wooden choktse of Ladakh, an everyday object in every household, reflects the facets of life. Despite challenges and the intense work involved, artisans persevere to preserve Ladakh’s distinct cultural heritage.

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Water sports make a splash in Kashmir 

Efforts from all quarters to encourage water sports in Jammu and Kashmir are bearing heartening results. Here’s a round-up of the current scenario in photos.