Jaunsaris are the people living in the
Jaunsar-Bawar area of the northern half of
Dehradun District. They are supposed to belong to the Aryan race. Even today the people here maintain some of the old customs which are distinct from those followed in other parts of Garhwal and
Kumaon in
Uttaranchal. They follow a unique art and architecture with profound use of woodwork. Their main festival is the Magh Mela. During festival seasons they wear a long coat, locally known as Thalka or Lohiya. Women wear the Ghagra, Kurti and Dhoti and are fond of ornaments. Polygamy and polyandry are practiced here which may perhaps be due to their close association with the legendary
Pandavas, who had a common wife called
Draupadi.
