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Hi There,

I retired from the Indian Army and belong to a family which migrated from Konkan Region of Maharashtra to Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh in early seventeenth century . From Kannauj the family migrated to Kumaon Hills in the early part of the eighteenth century and from their to Sikkim some time in 1939. With passage of time, my family gradually lost contact with Kumaon. As time went by, Nepali became the lingua franca at home. In 1959 my family made another major move and moved to Dehra Dun. In Dehra Dun almost all our neighbors were either Punjabi or Garhwali. Hence during my growing up years, I was greatly influenced by their culture.

It was only after I got married, did I realise as to how little did I know of Kumaon. During my frequent visits to Almora, did my learning process about Kumaon really start. I vividly remember that summer day of 1991. I was in Almora, on leave, and while watching the TV serial BUNIYAD, I remarked to my daughter that we were related to the author of BUNIYAD. A few days later, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, then a cabinet minister, was in news and I once again told my daughter that Dr Joshi too is our ‘BIRADER’ ( a distant relative who belongs to the same GOTRA (or clan) in Kumaoni). My daughter remarked "Papa you are very smart, you claim all prominent Joshi's as relatives, where as I have never seen you interacting with these people”.

This conversation with my daughter set me thinking, as how to prove to my daughter, that even though I did not have any interaction with these people, they were really our distant relatives. I however had no immediate solution to this problem. A few days later, I was visiting Mr Ram Joshi, a Prominent Lawyer of Almora, and a relative of mine. I narrated my predicament to him. He remarked that he has a book, titled "Angrish Joshi's of Almora", It had been complied by one Mr PC Joshi from New Delhi. Mr Ram Joshi very graciously presented his personal copy to me. This book contains the history of Joshi's of Galli, and also has the family tree of the entire Joshi's of Galli. With the help of this book, I was able to prove my point to my daughter. This one incidence prodded me to learn more about my community and hence this web site.

 It had always been my desire, to work on a site which enables me clear misconceptions people have about Kumaon. Most people in the plains, specially North India, are oblivious to the rich cultural heritage of the region. I am happy Wetpaint has provided me a platform wherein I can make an effort to write about Kuman Hills, it's people , cultural heritage and some note on the Brahmin Community.

I eagerly look forward to your suggestions & feedback on improvement of this site.


I also wish to acknowledge my gratitude to Mr Ram Joshi and Mr PC Joshi, without whose direct and indirect help this site would never have been possible.

 In the end I will leave with a thought for you to ponder over.

This site is dedicated to my wife and kids. My wife has been instrumental in prodding me to learn the kumaoni language and opened my eyes to the rich heritage and culture of Kumaon.







"These mountains are associated with the best memories of our race: Here, therefore, must be one of centers, not merely of activity, but more of calmness of meditation, and of peace and I hope some one to realize it". Swami Vivekananda (Replying to the address given to him by the people of Almora)




"Having been in the serene hills of Almora for almost a fortnight I wonder why people of India wish to visit Europe in search of health and peace".Mahatama Gandhi in Young India


" And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
............Abhram Lincoln




Wishing you all the best,

DeepakHome - JOSHI FAMILY





History of Kumaon Hills - JOSHI'S of KUMAONNainitalAlmoraAlmoraKasar Devi Temple, AlmoraJageshwer temple, Almora



Your door to Kumaon Hills!!!























dpuckjoe
dpuckjoe 		Latest page update: made by dpuckjoe , Aug 18 2011, 5:59 AM EDT (about this update About This Update dpuckjoe Edited by dpuckjoe


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Keyword tags: almora cultural heritage of kumaon history of kumaon Kumaon kumaon history kumaonis naini tal uttaranchal uttaranchal hills
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DESHJOSHI HISTORY OF KUMAONI BRAHMINS 5 Aug 18 2011, 3:58 AM EDT by dpuckjoe
Thread started: Nov 27 2009, 5:48 AM EST  Watch
Hi,
It is very important to presrve and document tour history....which will otherwise be lost to the fast changing time coupled by inter cultural marriages.....I belong to the DANIYA clan of the Joshis...who later moved to Almora proper and setteled at three different locations or MOHALLAS i.e. TALLA DANIYA, MALLA DANIYA AND MALLA GHAR....There are several views regarding our origins....but the most popular view is that our forefathers have come from Gujarat VIA ALLAHBAD....There is mention of JOSHIS of Dania in the "Himalyan Gazetter" By Atkinson.....as being more martial than priestly..and he also says that it is quite possible that they were probably Rajputs....who later got Brahminised....reasons for which are unclear.
My wife belongs to Pants from village "KHUNT" who claim to have migrated fro SATARA and also that RANI LAXMI BAI belonged to the same clan.
It is also very interesting to note that Vegetrainism is rare among the BRAHMINS IN KUAMOAN.....and in fact in our clan there was a tradition of an ANNUAL GOAT SACRIFICE AT THE TEMPLE OF GOLJU OF CHITAI.....
All of above are schools of thought with very scanty documnetary evidence.....but the matter of disapointment is that even though the community of Brahmins of Kumaon has been illustrious ....no significnat efforts have been made by any of them to conserve/document thier history, tradition and culture and I am afraid that the Brahmins of kumaon will soon loose there history , identity and culture to the fast changing times......DESH
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Keyword tags: almora cultural heritage of kumaon history of kumaon Kumaon kumaon history kumaonis naini tal uttaranchal uttaranchal hills
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anujjoshi_info History 1 Aug 18 2011, 3:56 AM EDT by dpuckjoe
Thread started: May 14 2011, 8:53 AM EDT  Watch

Hello Mr. Joshi , Thanks a lot for your love for kumaon.
You may also refer the two book "Kumaon Ka Itihas" by B D Pande . or "The Himalayan Gadzettier ( 18 Volumes )" by Atkinson.
Both are available at almora book depot maal road almora, and public lib. in almora, nainital etc.
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Keyword tags: almora cultural heritage of kumaon history of kumaon Kumaon kumaon history naini tal uttaranchal uttaranchal hills
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anujjoshi_info PPP 0 May 14 2011, 8:55 AM EDT by anujjoshi_info
Thread started: May 14 2011, 8:55 AM EDT  Watch
Pl. also invite kumaoni brahmins here looking for bride / grooms
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Keyword tags: almora cultural heritage of kumaon history of kumaon Kumaon kumaon history kumaonis naini tal uttaranchal uttaranchal hills
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