An elaborate wedding dress of a bride from northern Kinnaur. Silver chains form a veil over her face; a large silver necklace with elaborate enameled inserts, or chandraseni har, hangs from her neck; enormous silver Buddhist charm boxes, or shuntungma are suspended on a waist cord because of their weight; and a cape covered with applique is draped around her shoulders. The most important item of her regalia is the triangular perak headdress, a stiff felt frame covered with chunks of turquiose and silver medallions. The perak of this region differs considerably in style from those worn by women in southern Kinnaur, Spiti, and Ladakh, neighbors to the southeast and to the north. In these Buddhist regions, peraks are heirlooms passed down to the eldest daughter when she marries.

Puh, North Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh

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