Photo Stories
Snow and the spirit of sportsmanship
‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ The adage holds true for young boys of Gurez Valley, a remote region along the ancient Silk Route, home to the Dard Shin tribe in north Kashmir. The valley remains covered with snow and cut off from the rest of the world for nearly six months. However, this doesn’t dissuade youngsters here from indulging in what they love the most–Snow Cricket.
Crafting devotion: Potters from Puri
The sacred pottery used in the preparation and serving of Mahaprasad at the Jagannath temple is made by the Kumahar community. The skill, which has been passed down through generations, blends artistry with spirituality, preserving an ancient tradition that plays a crucial role in the religious rituals of temples in Odisha.
Baaghi finds a way
Amarpura, in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, barely receives any rain but when it does, the heavy downpours carry away the topsoil and manure, destroying the crop. Rainwater that can be harvested for farming and domestic use goes to waste. For many, like Baaghi, this has meant losing their livelihoods.
The first green village of India – Khonoma
Khonoma village, located in Nagaland, was once known as a ‘warrior village’ for the fierce resistance it put up during the British colonial period. Today, the picturesque hamlet is India’s first green village, known for its rich cultural heritage, sustainable farming practices, and strong conservation efforts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dreams of Forest Fringe Bodo kids
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.