Festival in Jammu and Kashmir

The picturesque and colorful land of Jammu – Kashmir goes in sync with the vibrant people ant their culture. They love to live their life with elan and enjoyment. The colorful life of the Kashmiri people is reflected on the Jammu & Kashmir Festivals.

One of the widely celebrated festivals of the state, the Lohri festival is actually a festival to welcome the spring season. Children have a gala time, going around and collecting subscriptions to organize the evening bonfires. People sing, dance and feast together to spread the message of love. As the rest of India, Holi is celebrated with immense fervor. The most appreciating aspect of Holi in Jammu and Kashmir is that it is celebrated not only by Hindus but also by the Muslims and Sikhs.

Observed mainly on the Jammu region, Navaratri is another popular festival. The state witnesses a large number of pilgrims during this festival. The Kashmiri New Year or Baisakhi is also celebrated with pomp and glory. The Kashmir region comes alive during the festival of Id. People greet each other and invite others to their house. The Christmas is also celebrated in the state with revelry and respect. The festival of light – Diwali is celebrated is one of the major Jammu & Kashmir Festivals.

The New Year day falls on first Navaratra - the first day of the new moon in the month of Chaitra. In every Hindu home, it begins with an invocation to Lakshmi, the goddess of bounty. In every family, a young lady lays a large plate with paddy, sugar, curds, fruits, walnut, coins, a mirror, ink-holder and the New year scroll. Early in the morning she shows the plate to every inmate and thus seeks the blessings of the goddess for moral and material development of members of the family.

Baisakhi

The name 'Baisakhi' was derived from 'Vaisakh', the first month of the Hindu calendar. Normally celebrated on April 13th, it is the harvest festival of northern India and is considered auspicious especially for marriages. Every year, devotees throng to the rivers, canals and ponds of their region to take a ritual dip. During this festival, numerous fairs are organized. It also marks the beginning of the New Year and holds special significance for the Sikhs of Jammu. On this day, their tenth Guru, Gobind Singhji formed the Khalsa sect in 1699. The Sikhs, therefore, celebrate this festival as a collective birthday. Bhangra dance is generally performed as part of the celebrations.

Lohri

Celebrated to welcome the Spring with a special fervor in Jammu region, it is celebrated on 13th January, one day before Makar Sankranti. Thousands of devotees take a holy dip in the holy river. 'Havans' and 'Yagnas', the rites and rituals, are performed in nearly every house and temple in Jammu. In the rural areas, it is customary for the boys to go around asking for gifts from newly-weds and new parents. 'Chajja' dance is performed on this occasion and the boys along with their elaborately decorated 'chajjas' with colored paper and flowers, dance in a procession on the street accompanied by pulsating drumbeats.

Jhiri Mela (Oct- Nov)

Baba Jitu was a simple and honest farmer who preferred to kill himself rather than give in to the atrocities of the local landlord and part with his crop. He used to live in the village of Jhiri, 14 km from Jammu. It is believed that Baba and his followers gather together at Jhiri on the appointed day from every corner of North India. He is revered for his compassion, courage and honesty and an annual fair is held in his honor.

Bahu Mela

Celebrated twice a year in March or April and September or October, it is a major festival held at the Kali temple in Bahu Fort of Jammu.