Jaunsari Culture and Festivals

Jaunsari Culture and festivals:

Uttarakhand is a land of various culture and geographical diversity. In Uttarakhand every district has it unique tradition. Jaunsar is also known as Jaunsar-bawar. Jaunsari culture and festivals is unique. Jaunsari is a tribe which comes in scheduled tribe according to the 1950 Act of Indian Constitutions. They have different types of culture which include their dance songs language and their religious believes etc... It is slightly different from Garhwali , Nepali, Kumaoni and Himachali.

A beautiful girl with Jaunsari Dress

 

Modern costume and their local food :

The customs of Jaunsari people is mainly " " "Tahalka " or 'Lohiya ' which is a long coat and their folk dances are like Nati,harul and Raso. Mainly they dance at the time of their festival and poojas. The modern culture of jaunsar does not follow polyandry . Also now they become educated and due to migration . On another hand when people start migration in search of jobs they also start forgetting their jaunsari culture and festivals . In Jaunsar most family come under BPL ( Below Poverty Line ). They has also eat different type of Local food like Kehdari , Siduko etc.

Houses in Jaunsar is wooden which looks very beautiful . The houses made up of wood is not so cold at the time of snow fall.

Village wooden house in Jaunsar

Jaunsari Main Festivals :

There are many festival celebrating in Jaunsar Bawar . This Jaunsari culture and festivals shows actual beauty of Jaunsar . Main festivals are as followed.

1. Magh Mela ( Maroj Festival ) :

It is celebrated in every village of Jaunsar in the month of Magh . On that month sacrifice of goat is done for making meat because on the time snow fall is all there. There is no hard work to do so they dance and sing jaunsari songs.

Dancing in the house at the time of Magh

2. Diwali :

Diwali in Jaunsar is celebrated for 4 to 5 day . First day they celebrate choti dewali. Second day they make a flambeau and start dancing and singing in the

Flambeau at the time of Dewali

On third day is bhirudi when people stay at aagan for all night by singing and dancing. In the early morning people went to their near temple where they get walnut as parsad. On fourth and fifth day they make fun of all by sharing some funny performance and jokes. At last day is also a fully night stay day on that day people make a artificial Elephant . In early morning a man (shiyandaha ) sits on elephant and village people carry it and star jumping and at the man perform sword art.

Last day performance by the villagers

3. Bissu :

Bissu is celebrated in the month of April. A festival in which Bow and Arrow game is played with the help of woolen pads . Which is use for protecting their legs. People also dance and sing in harul nati and raso for enjoying their fest.

Bow and Arrow Event

 

4. Jagra :

Jagra is a festival for worship of Mahashu Devta . People visit in Jagra to seen the Palki of God Mahashu . Jagra is celebrated in the last week August .

Mahashu Devta Palki

5. Maund :

Maund fest is related to fishing. In the month of May and June the flow of river increases and this is the best time for fishing . Finally villagers take their fishing equipment and stat fishing and dancing.  

Fishing at the time of Maund

6. Nunai :

A festival in honour of God Shilgur which is known as god of sheep. Baila and jadi is a place where it is celebrated in the month of September.It also shows the traditional Jaunsari culture and festivals .

Villagers dance at the time of Nunai