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Jan 2014 back issue
by Jayati Saha
This is not only the name of a village in Ajmer district in the State of Rajasthan, India; the word Devmali means a
place of peace and faith.
The unique thing about this village is that not a single dwelling is made of concrete/cement (with the exception of the
Village Council Building, Society Building, Government School, Health Care Center and the Temple) and although the
villagers own tractors, cars, motorcycles and are not poverty strickenm each house is made of mud, stone, wood and
bamboo.
The village of Devmali started with two families from the Gurjar tribe of Rajasthan and over the past 800 years it has
come to comprise of 250 families. This is a heritage site in our modern world. There is a temple of Gurjar Lord
Devnarayan on top of a small hill, the highest point of the village. As the legend goes, an old man of the village had
promised the Lord that all villagers would serve him in humility and no one would ever live in a house made of
anything other than mud, stone, wood or bamboo. The villagers swear that whenever any residential house has been
constructed of cement or concrete, the owner of the house has been visited with calamity - the wrath of the Lord.
Aerial view of village Devmali, where all houses are made of mud, stones, bamboo and wood.
Open area in front of the village and the temple on the top of the little hill.
A man in the village gives fodder to his cattle.
Cultivation of maize is one of the main occupations of the people in the village.
A little girl peeps out of the door with her sister on her hip,while the mother stands behind them watching in curiosity.
A man sits outside his hut smoking. Colourful turbans and ear-ornaments are part of their everyday attire.
Beautiful Rekha stands inside her hut. She takes a break from her daily chores, for this shot.
Two old women sit and reminisce about their pasts.
This is a part of the ritual during the festival of colour (Holi), where the villagers keep a container of water on some
grains, praying for good rains and better harvest in the coming year.
Dairy farming is another important occupation.
A shepherd is seen going back home with his flock, while his wife follows him.
Women do not come out of their house without covering their heads.
Happy old man.
Women of the village in traditional tribal ornaments waiting for the 'Holi' festivities to begin.
Men celebrate 'Holi' with a form of martial stick-dance called 'gher'. Women do not participate in this.
Men sit around having opium as a part of the celebration.
The headman of the village carries the brass pinnacle to the temple.
