The lifestyle of people in Nainital is a bit backward and very simple. This is mainly due to the fact that they are secluded from the influences of city and modern lifestyles. Kumaoni people normally live in small brick or stone hut-shaped houses covered with slanted tin roofs. Some old traditional houses are made only out of wood with wood carvings, a rare sight today. In villages, animals are kept in the ground floor called 'Goth' and the owners live above. Rice is mostly their staple diet; however, Wheat, Madwa and other grains also form a part of their daily diet. Urad Daal, Gahat, Bhatt, Masoor Daal are some pulses they consume including Meat.
The Kumaoni people here are very religious minded and the type of worship differs drastically from those who live in Plains. Here, the Temple forms a hub for all social and cultural functions and activities. They also perform the Jaagar to evoke spirits and their local deities. During auspicious occasions, their forehead is smeared with 'Tilak' made of turmeric with 'Akshat' or 'Pithya' and women especially are seen with very long Pithya that runs from the forehead down to their upper nose.
Being very superstitious, the Kumaoni people always apply a black kaajal on their forehead, especially on a child's forehead to protect them from any evil eye and spirits. They believe that certain activities must be done at a certain time. For example, visiting sick people are done on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Courtesy calls, Condolence calls or Mourning calls are made exclusively on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The younger members must greet their Elders by touching their feet and saying 'Pailagoon' or 'Bowing at your feet' and elders happily respond by saying 'Cheerinjivi Bhav' or 'Saubhagyavati Bhav', which means 'May God Always keep you happy and prosperous'. Others are greeted by the sign of folded hands called 'Namaskar'. Women mostly work on fields and take care of their household while the men are the main bread earners and work in nearby towns or their own fields. Married women especially have to wear a 'Sindoor' [a Red Coloured powder] on their upper foreheads, a huge Gold nose ring called 'Nath' and 'Chareu', a necklace made of Black beads which are all significant and very sacred in leading a happy marital life. Women are adorned with Golden necklaces known as 'Hansuli' and earrings; however, the poorer class wear Silver instead. Their traditional dress is a Ghaagra-Pichora; however, today most women wear saris, while the pichora is worn during festive occasions.
