Rongpa communities are some of the oldest and native of the upper belt of the Himalayas, close to the border of Tibet in Garhwal.
According to the late Hayat Singh Pal, a recognized influence in Rongpa culture, the people of these valleys are Suryavansi, Chandravansi, Rajputs and Thakars, as described in ancient texts.
However, the people of this community mainly worship Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Pandavas, apart from their Isht devs and devis.
The traditional dress worn by the people of Bhotia is made with layers of wool, designed to provide warmth during the cold winters.
The men typically wear trousers over which they layer a loose gown tied to the waist with a cloth, called a patta.