Painted Houses Cowdung Mud Round Huts Kids India Rajasthan 1a

by Sue Jacobi

Title

Painted Houses Cowdung Mud Round Huts Kids India Rajasthan 1a

Artist

Sue Jacobi

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Photography - Digital Art

Description

Painted Houses Cowdung Mud Round Huts Kids India Rajasthan 1a.
While travelling around the vast countryside in Rajasthan, India, we suddenly came across this beautiful settlement. A group of humble huts or small houses, some round, some square. They all wore a beautiful decorative look. For one thing, their walls, made of mud, were plastered over with cowdung! Once dry, the cowdung layer on thewall was painted over with simple ethnic designs in the traditional style.Red, white, yellow and other such color pigments, made of natural organic materials, have been used to paint these lovely designs. The designs were similar to rangoli or kolams, which are often drawn or painted, freshly every day, onto the floor of each house, just outside the front doorway.
There were a dozen such houses in this settlement. And to add to the charm, there was a mud wall all around the community, also painted in the same beautiful fashion. There was a gate in the outer wall, thus making this a quaint little gated community.
Thatched roofs adorn these pretty little houses, On the inside, the houses are surprisingly cool and comfortable. There are cots for sleeping and sitting on. And despite the thatched roof, a ceiling fan is whirring away, providing a much needed cool breeze in the room.
In this scene, a couple of kids living in this little village, are seen taking a little walk. Reshma is a five year old girl, and Harish, her little brother, is a toddler of 3 years. They are off to play with the other children in their neighbours� houses.
Ah, now for the big question - Cowdung, on the walls, you ask in surprise?
Well, that is one of the customs which are followed in rural India from ancient times, and people are following them because their ancestors asked them to do so. It may sound disgusting to many but people in Indian villages use cow-dung (locally known as gobar) in building their homes.
Cows are considered very sacred in Hinduism and it is called Gow Maata (Cow, The mother). Cow dung and cow urine is considered holy in India.
Applying Cow Dung is part of cleaning process in Indian villages. In festive times also, after cleaning their houses, rural folk apply cow-dung paste on walls and floors for making their houses pure, just as urban people paint their houses to get the festive feel.

Benefits Of Applying Cow Dung
Recent research has proved that cow-dung has the power to kill bacteria which are harmful for humans. Cow-dung is considered good for health. It is very rich in minerals and has great anti-bacterial properties. It prevents the spread of various diseases and health issues.
Small insects like scorpions, centipedes etc don't come near places which are coated with cow-dung paste. Cowdung acts as a natural mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes stay away from such places.
Floors which are coated with cow-dung remain warm in winter and cool in summertime.
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Context: house, hut, cowdung, painted, round hut, kids, children,girl, boy, toddlers, village, rural, Indian village, village life, village scene, Rajasthan, Rajasthani village, terracotta pot, travel photography, travel art, sue jacobi, gated community, rural culture, colorful costume, colorful attire, hindu culture, attire farmer landlord shepherd cow cattle india rajasthani dhoti lehenga exotic agriculture man people portrait countryside road roadside street sidewalk farm farmhouse traditional sun sunny hot warm heat summer indians indian culture persons clothes attire style exotic tropical tourist tourism travel wardrobe hindu lush shrubs greenery green arid desert washing line colorful bricks, cow-dung, round, warli painting, warli.

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April 18th, 2015

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