Dehradun: The culture of entire Uttarakhand gives it a different identity from other states of the country, but the culture and customs of Jaunsar Bawar region of Uttarakhand are very unique. Today we are going to tell you about them. The area around Chakrata Block, towards the north-west direction, at a distance of about 103 kilometers from Dehradun city, is called Jaunsar Bawar. This area tells stories related to the Mahabharata period. The people living here consider themselves descendants of Pandavas. Mention of Pandavas and aspects related to their life can be seen in the culture and customs here.
their culture is different
The upper snow covered part is called ‘Bawar’ and the lower part is called ‘Jaunsar’. The people of Jaunsar region consider the Pandavas as their descendants and are called Pashi. Whereas the people of Bawar area consider themselves descendants of Duryodhana and are called Shathi. Giving information to Local 18, Rajendra Singh Bisht, a resident of Chakrata Block, said that people associated with Jaunsari culture live in Chakrata Block of Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi district and some parts of Himachal Pradesh. People of Jaunsar region worship Mahasu Devta. Jainta, Raso, Tandi and Harul etc. are the traditional folk dances here which are performed in Diwali and marriage ceremonies etc. People here wear Thalka or Lohiya. Here warfare is played with swords.
Like Pandavas, polygamist of one wife
Rajendra Bisht told that Pandavas are worshiped at his place. He has heard that like the Pandavas, there has been a practice of polyandry and polygamy here. Like the five Pandavas, a woman who had more than one husband was called Panchali. Here too, like the Pandavas, many brothers used to have a wife. Although he said that today there has been a lot of change in the society and now this practice has ended, but even today the traces of this practice are alive among the old people.
Liquor is made from herbs for celebration in Kimavana festival.
Kimavana festival is celebrated with great pomp in areas like Lohari, Jadi, Sijla situated in Kandaman of Jaunsar Bawar. For its celebration, a herb called Keem is brought from the forest. Liquor is made by grinding it in the courtyard of the house. During this time folk songs are also sung. One’s relatives are invited and a feast is also held for them. This is how they celebrate this festival.
The bride brings the wedding procession, not the groom.
Hati community of Jaunsar Bawar has a unique tradition. In this, it is not the groom but the bride who brings the wedding procession. Central Haati Committee member Dr. Ramesh Singta said that Jaunsar Bawar area of Uttarakhand and Giripar area of Sirmaur of Himachal have similar traditions, food habits and lifestyle. These two areas are also close to each other, hence marriages take place here. He told that there was a lot of discussion about the marriage of the bride and groom of Chakrata and Himachal Pradesh in January 2023 because the girl had taken the wedding procession from Chakrata in Uttarakhand to Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. This is called Jajda tradition.
Tags: Dehradun news, Local18, News18 UP Uttarakhand
FIRST PUBLISHED : November 19, 2024, 2:01 PM IST
