The Bhotias and Ban Rawats of Kumaon are hill tribals. They are scattered over the Uttarkashi and Garhwal regions. Although they come from the same stock, almost every village has its own customs and religious rites.

The Bhotias have Mongoloid features, are fair complexioned and sturdy. Their origin is uncertain. They differ in religion, physiognomy and customs both from the Tibetans and the Hindus. They are a hardy race, genial, cheerful and hospitable.

They are perhaps the best climbers in the country and reach high altitudes with little difficulty. They have a keen sense of direction and if this sense is at fault, as in a blinding blizzard, their dogs always come to the rescue. Whenever the Bhotias ascend steep mountains, they add a stone in thanksgiving to a heap (kithburiyas) which is already there.

Religion Of The Bhotia Tribe
The Nanda Devi, Pancha Chuli and Badri-Kedar peaks are worshipped by them. There is a temple to the Goddess Nanda in Martoli where an annual fair is held in September. During this time a large number of buffaloes and goats are sacrificed to propitiate the Goddess. Some Bhotias, who have come under the influence of Hinduism, worship Hindu Gods.

The most popular of their deities is perhaps Gabla, the weather god who, on entreaty, dispels both rain and snow and brings fine weather. The shepherd gods Runiya and Sain protect and cure their animals from disease. The eternal snows inspire reverence and the snow covered Pancha Chuli peaks, locally known as Miyula, are an object of worship.

They make a constant effort to exclude malevolent spirits. If a person dies away from home, his belongings are scattered where he died and along the path to his house so that his soul may come home.

Society Of The Bhotia Tribe: The Bhotia community is primarily nomadic. The societal norms are relaxed too. But the best feature of this community is that both men and women are given equal footing in the social strata.