City Pithoragarh 
Submission Period: 1 August – 10 August 2026
Capture the Soul of Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh, nestled in the heart of the Kumaon Himalayas, is a land of majestic mountains, ancient temples, vibrant traditions, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking landscapes. Every valley, village, festival, and trail tells a unique story waiting to be shared with the world.
Discover Pithoragarh – A Visual Journey Photography Contest 2026 is an initiative by City Pithoragarh to celebrate the district’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, spirituality, adventure, wildlife, and people through the art of photography.
Whether you are a professional photographer, a passionate hobbyist, a traveler, or a nature enthusiast, this contest offers an opportunity to showcase your perspective and become a part of a visual archive that promotes the beauty and identity of Pithoragarh.
Contest Categories
Participants may submit photographs in any or all of the following five categories.
🏛️ 1. Cultural Heritage & Festivals of Pithoragarh
Capture the traditions, fairs, festivals, folk dances, local customs, architecture, handicrafts, and cultural life that preserve the rich heritage of Pithoragarh.
Examples:
- Local festivals
- Traditional attire
- Folk performances
- Village life
- Historical monuments
- Heritage architecture
🛕 2. Temples & Spiritual Sites of Pithoragarh
Showcase the district’s sacred temples, spiritual destinations, religious ceremonies, and places of devotion that reflect centuries of faith and tradition.
Examples:
- Ancient temples
- Pilgrimage sites
- Religious rituals
- Sacred landscapes
- Spiritual gatherings
🏔️ 3. Natural Landscapes of Pithoragarh
Celebrate the spectacular Himalayan scenery that makes Pithoragarh one of Uttarakhand’s most beautiful districts.
Examples:
- Mountain ranges
- Sunrise & sunset
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Waterfalls
- Forests
- Valleys
- Snow-covered peaks
🥾 4. Adventure Sports & Tourist Places of Pithoragarh
Highlight the adventurous spirit of Pithoragarh through trekking, camping, mountaineering, and iconic tourist destinations.
Examples:
- Trekking routes
- Camping
- Rock climbing
- Mountain expeditions
- Tourist attractions
- Scenic viewpoints
🌿 5. Wildlife & Flora of Pithoragarh
Capture the incredible biodiversity of the region, including wildlife, birds, flowers, forests, insects, and rare Himalayan species.
Examples:
- Birds
- Butterflies
- Wild animals
- Himalayan flowers
- Forest ecosystems
- Nature close-ups
Photo Submission Guidelines
All entries must be submitted online through the official Google Form.
Google Form: https://forms.gle/W3V42WmJFHZaJ7pq7
Submission Period
- Opens: 1 August 2026
- Closes: 10 August 2026
Number of Entries
- Maximum one (1) photograph per category
- Maximum five (5) photographs in total
- Only the first submission in each category will be considered.
Technical Requirements
Each submitted photograph must meet the following specifications:
- File Format: JPG / JPEG
- Minimum Resolution: 4000 × 3000 pixels (12 MP or higher)
- Resolution: 300 DPI (recommended)
- Maximum File Size: 10 MB
- Suitable for high-quality exhibition printing
- Images must be sharp, clear, and properly focused.
Editing Policy
The following adjustments are permitted:
- Cropping
- Exposure correction
- Contrast adjustment
- Colour correction
- White balance
- Sharpening
The following are not permitted:
- AI-generated images
- Composite photographs
- Image manipulation that changes reality
- Addition or removal of objects
- Excessive digital editing
Any image violating these rules will be disqualified.
Eligibility
- Photographs must be captured within Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand.
- Entries must be the participant’s original work.
- Participants must own the copyright of every submitted photograph.
- Images must not contain:
- Watermarks
- Logos
- Borders
- Signatures
- Photographer names
- Any identifying marks
Copyright & Usage Rights
The photographer retains the copyright of the submitted photographs.
By participating in the contest, participants grant City Pithoragarh a non-exclusive, royalty-free permission to:
- Display selected photographs in exhibitions.
- Publish photographs on the official website.
- Share photographs on social media platforms.
- Use photographs in brochures, magazines, promotional materials, and tourism campaigns.
Whenever possible, due credit will be given to the photographer.
Exhibition Opportunity
The finest photographs selected by the Jury Panel will be showcased during the Discover Pithoragarh – A Visual Journey Photography Exhibition 2026.
Selected entries may also be featured across:
- City Pithoragarh Website
- YouTube
- Printed publications
- Tourism promotions
- Future exhibitions
This is an excellent opportunity to have your work displayed before a large audience and contribute to promoting the natural and cultural heritage of Pithoragarh.
Judging Criteria
An independent Jury Panel will evaluate every submission based on:
- Creativity & Originality
- Technical Excellence
- Composition
- Storytelling
- Visual Impact
- Relevance to the Selected Category
The decision of the Jury Panel shall be final and binding.
Prize Structure
🏆 ₹30,000 Total Prize Pool
Awards in Each Category
🥇 1st Prize: ₹3,000
🥈 2nd Prize: ₹2,000
🥉 3rd Prize: ₹1,000
Total Winners
- 15 Winners
- 5 Categories
- 3 Winners in Each Category
Important Rules
- Incomplete submissions may be rejected.
- False information may lead to disqualification.
- Offensive, inappropriate, misleading, or unlawful content is not permitted.
- Entries submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
- The organizers reserve the right to reject any entry that does not comply with the contest rules.
- Participation in the contest implies acceptance of all rules and conditions.
Contact Information
City Pithoragarh
Email: info.citypithoragarh@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 87557 80556
Stay Connected
Follow City Pithoragarh for contest announcements, exhibition updates, winner announcements, and inspiring stories from across the district.
Facebook: @citypithoragarh
Instagram: @city.pithoragarh
Capture the Beauty. Preserve the Heritage. Inspire the World.
Every photograph tells a story. Every landscape holds a memory. Every culture deserves to be celebrated.
Join Discover Pithoragarh – A Visual Journey Photography Contest 2026 and become a part of an initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting the extraordinary beauty of Pithoragarh through the power of photography.
