Jaunsaries Jaunsar-Basar forms the northern half of Dehradun District. Tribal people live there and are called the Jaunsaries. They are a feudal society covering the hill-locked region of Chakarta and Purola, and Ranwai of the Uttarkashi District. This area had links with the ancient cultural waves which swept over the northern part of India, particularly during the Vedic, Mahayan, Kushan and Gupta periods of ancient Indian history. The inhabitants follow the old customs even today, distinct from their counterparts elsewhere in Garhwal, Kumaon and Himachal Pradesh. Their physical features, customs, traditions and dress are distinctly different. Even the art and architecture has its unique features, with profound use of woodwork.

Garhwal Himalaya - poem by Ruskin Bond. (Download Realplayer)

At the foot of the massive Kedarnath peaks Credit: Unknown

An interesting aspect of Jaunsari and Ranwalta weddings is that the bride goes to the bridegroom's house where the wedding ceremony is performed. The bride's party is feasted followed by lots of merry-making.

Jaunsaries are fond of dressing up and during festivals they wear the Thalka or Lohiya, which is a long coat. Thangel folds like tight-fitting trousers. Digwa or the cap is the traditional Jaunsari head dress made of woolen cloth. Women wear Ghagra, Kurti and Dhoti and are fond of ornaments.

The most important festival of the Jaunsaries is the Magh Mela. The Jaunsari festival is an entirely religious affair connected with the Mahasu Devta. The deity is taken out for a religious bath to the nearby river. Another interesting fair is the Maun fair which is connected with the catching of fish. Bark of the Tejpal tree is collected, and after grinding into powder form is thrown into the water since it has a stunning effect on the fish.

The pivot of the religious life of the Jaunsaries is Kanol, where the Mahasu temple is situated.