Jakhol village, nestled in the Rawain Valley of Uttarkashi, is a vibrant example of Garhwali culture and Himalayan tradition. Isolated from urban influence, the village has preserved its ancient customs, folk practices, and religious heritage for generations. The cultural fabric of Jakhol is deeply woven with spiritual beliefs, oral traditions, seasonal festivals, and community harmony.

Wooden Architecture, Traditional Home & Way of Life

Homes in Jakhol are built using local deodar wood and stone, featuring intricate carvings and multi-tiered designs that reflect the classic Himalayan style. The architecture isn’t just aesthetic—it’s designed to withstand harsh weather, making it both beautiful and functional.
Villagers lead a self-sufficient lifestyle, depending on farming, cattle rearing, and forest produce. Their daily life reflects simplicity, harmony with nature, and deep-rooted family values.

Ancient Someshwar Mahadev Temple Rituals

Religion plays a central role in Jakhol’s cultural identity. The village is home to the ancient Someshwar Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which serves as the spiritual and social hub of the community. Rituals, seasonal pujas, and temple fairs are major events that bring villagers together. Jakhol Someshwar mahadev temple is main and central temple of all nearby villages, its 22 villages central temple where Someshwar mahadev deity live for maximum of time.

Other than this there are many other temple which are dedicated to their specific deites. The villagers follow a blend of Hindu rituals and animistic beliefs, often worshipping local deities known as “Isht Devas” and “Kul Devtas” to seek protection, blessings, and agricultural prosperity.

Unique Festivals and Celebrations

Jakhol celebrates a wide range of Garhwali and seasonal festivals, many of which are unique to the Rawain Valley. Key festivals include:

• Bishu Mela

The Bishu Mela is a significant cultural and agricultural festival celebrated in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand, including Jakhol village in the Rawain Valley.
Bishu Mela is a traditional harvest festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jakhol village, Uttarkashi. Held every year in mid-April, it marks the arrival of spring and expresses gratitude for a good harvest.
Villagers gather to enjoy folk music, Garhwali dances, traditional rituals, and community feasts. The festival reflects the deep cultural roots of the Rawain Valley and strengthens social bonds through shared celebration and devotion.
It’s a vibrant expression of Garhwali heritage, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the region’s rural traditions and joyful spirit.

• Devgoti Mela

Devgoti Mela is a traditional religious and cultural festival celebrated in Jakhol village, located in the Rawain Valley of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Held during spring, it honors Someshwar Mahadev, the village deity, with rituals, folk music, Garhwali dances, and community feasts.
The festival marks the seasonal transition and reflects the village’s deep connection with Garhwali culture, local deities, and agricultural traditions. Devgoti Mela is a unique cultural experience that showcases the rich heritage of rural Uttarakhand and is a must-see for those interested in Himalayan village festivals and traditions.

• Sawan Jatra

Sawan jatra is one of the most famous festival in Jakhol village, in which the deity Someshwar mahadev arrive to Jakhol village from another village in sawan (July) month and huge crowd arrive along with Someshwar mahadev. In this festival Someshwar mahadev is worshiped by the priests and in evening “The Kafua” is very famous in which lord Someshwar mahadev incarnate in the priest and connect with people to talk villagers and give the speech and promises to maintain the peace and prosperity. 
Night shedule is awesome in which whole crowd get together in temple playground to start the cultural and traditional folk dances and somgs. The ras is very famous, which is steps

• Fagunay

Fagunay is festival which generally held in holi time. When Holi starts on that night a small program is sheduled by the villagers, which is cultural and ritual. Some few specific peoples disguises into ancient form by wearing unique dress along with mask on their face. Once they are ready then arrive within the crowd which is gathered in temple playground, where they play their drama. After this drama is completed,  the folk dance and songs begins for all overnights.

Folk songs, instruments, and dances

Jakhol Village is a traditional village which have their own specific folk songs, dance and instruments. This all  are the identities and pride of villagers, indicating the culture and lifestyle of the natives. The folk songs, folk dance and instruments are as ;

• Tandi and Ras

Tandi and ras are the main folk dances form of villagers, which people perform in festivals and celebrations. Tandi and Ras are performed in groups, Tandi and Ras has difference. Tandi is folk dance of villagers in which people makes a round circle by holding each other hands and perform the folk dance. While in Ras people hold a weapon called Dangri, in hands and perform the folk dance with double headed drum which is called Dhol. Tandi and Ras both are step codings which has to be same in patterns.

• Chhode, Laman, Chopati etc

Villagers have folk songs which are totally in their native tone, this folk songs are of different types like Chhode, Laman, Chopati etc. This folk songs were created by the ancestors which are till now performed by people, with the time people made new folk songs which are now in much numbers. This folk songs are performed with folk dance which give quite beautiful combinations and looks awesome to watch.

• Dhol – Dhamau, Flute,  Ranasingha etc

Dhol -Dhamau, Ranasingha etc are the main and traditional music instruments of villagers which are famous all over Utarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. This musical instruments are specially for festivals, and celebrations of villagers. The sounds are much fantastic that the public love to hear the instrumental sounds, this musical instruments  are used in deities worshiping too.