Tons Valley
The Tons Valley lies in the region of Garhwal, with a unique culture and history. The social customs here differ from the rest of conservative Garhwal. Polyandry, and to some extent, polygamy, are the normal practice.
The villagers claim that they are the descendants of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Unlike in other parts of Garhwal, Kinnaur and the Kullu Valley, where the Pandavas are revered as the righteous ones, in the Tons Valley people are over-awed by the Kauravas, the wrong doers, and worship them as gods. Netwar, where the temple of Karna is located, is one of the most significant places in Tons Valley. The temple is a rectangular wooden structure with pent roofs lined with slates.
Every year in mid January, the Festival of Ball is held in the temple grounds. The biggest temple of Duryodhana, Duryodhan Temple, is in Jakhol near Sankri.
The people in Tons Valley smoke earthen pipes, bidis or coconut hookahs and spin wool on the spindles. Women wear silver ornaments.
