Discovering the Unique Culture and Traditions of Jaunsar-Bawar in Uttarakhand
Jaunsar-Bawar is a hilly region, 85 km from Mussoorie, in Chakrata tehsil, in Dehradun district, it represents the geographical region inhabited by the Jaunsaris and bawaris, which traces its origin from the Khasas of Mahabharata & Khas a Tribe mentioned in other Hindu Scriptures.
Geography of Jaunsar-Bawar
Ethnically, Jaunsar-Bawar comprises two regions, inhabited by the two predominant groups: Jaunsar, the lower half, while the snow-clad upper region is called Bawar, which includes, the ‘Kharamba peak’ (3,084 metres (10,118 ft)). Geographically adjacent, they are not very different from each other. The Bawar lies in the upper regions of the area. They are a unique community because they have remained cut off from the external world for centuries, leading to the retention of their unique culture and traditions, which have attracted historians, anthropologist and studies in ethnopharmacology to this region for over a century.There is a significant cultural shift from other people of Garhwal, living close by.
Mahasu Devta is the main god of this region ,as per the belief Mahasu devta is a Avatar of Lord Shiva
See few picture of these famous temples from kalasi Inkshyar and lakhwad .
Chalda Mahasu devta
Culture and Traditions
Jaunsar -Bhawar is rich in culture and have many mystic stories about the region .it is a proud uttarakhand tribe. See the few picture of their culture , dance worship. Jaunsaris trace their ethnic origin of the Pandavas from the mythological story ‘Mahabharata’
Some main functions of Jaunsar-Bawar is
Maroj, Panchmi Pulyari Baishakhi Maun.
The practice of ‘Polygamy’ and ‘Polyandry’:
There was practice of polygamy and polyandry in Jaunsar . Members of the richest tribe practiced polygamy, whereas polyandry practiced by poor ,it also can be called as ‘fraternal polyandry’ in which two or more siblings decide to share a wife. However, anthropology studies conducted in the 1990s states that these practices were phased out quickly that were further substituted by monogamy. While, recent studies have found that there are no such practices today
Bride Price:
Parents spend a considerable amount of upbringing, education and making the life of the girl as good as they can. In return, the girl is an asset to the family while cooking, cleaning, working on farms, etc. When a child wants to marry the girl, who is taking an active family and pay the reasonable price of the well known as the bride price.
Divorce is not taboo in the culture, and divorced women are not isolated from society. However, if the woman returns home to her parents after a divorce, the family must pay the bride price to the family of man.
Source -Wikipedia and Internet
