Fairs and Festivals of J&K

Fairs and Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a land of diverse cultures and traditions, reflected in its colorful fairs and festivals. These celebrations showcase the spiritual, social, and cultural heritage of the region, bringing people together and promoting tourism.

Fairs of Jammu and Kashmir

1. Puramandal Fair

Location: Puramandal village, Samba district (Jammu region).
Occasion: Celebrated on Shivratri (February/March) to mark the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Significance: Devotees visit Peer Khoh, Ranbireshwar Temple, and Panjbakhtar Temple.

2. Bahu Fair

Location: Kali Temple, Bahu Fort (Jammu).
Occasion: Held twice a year (March/April and September/October).
Significance: One of the biggest Hindu fairs in Jammu region.

3. Mansar Food and Craft Fair

Location: Mansar Lake (62 km from Jammu).
Occasion: Celebrated in Baisakh (April).
Significance: Promotes Indian handicrafts and cuisine.

4. Jhiri Fair

Location: Jhiri village (Jammu region).
Occasion: Held in October-November.
Significance: Dedicated to Baba Jitu, a farmer who sacrificed his life for justice against oppressive landlords.

Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir

1. Lohri Festival

Region: Jammu.
Date: 13th January, a day before Makar Sankranti.
Significance: Celebrates the harvest of Rabi crops and welcomes spring.
Tradition: Bonfires are lit, and people perform the Chajja dance using bamboo and colored paper decorations.

2. Baisakhi

Region: Jammu and Kashmir.
Date: 13th April.
Significance: Marks the harvest festival and formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
Tradition: People take ritual baths in rivers and Sikhs perform Bhangra dance.

3. Tulip Festival

Location: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar.
Date: March-April.
Significance: Celebrates the blooming of tulips, attracting tourists worldwide.

4. Kheer Bhawani Festival

Location: Kheer Bhawani Temple, Tulmulla (27 km from Srinagar).
Date: Jyeshtha Ashtami (May/June).
Significance: A Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi.

5. Sindhu Darshan Festival

Location: Sindhu River, Leh district (Ladakh).
Date: June.
Significance: Celebrates the Indus River as a symbol of cultural harmony.

6. Hemis Festival

Location: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh.
Date: Tibetan Lunar Month (June/July).
Significance: Celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.
Tradition: Lamas perform mask dances (Chham Dance).

7. Losar Festival (Ladakh New Year)

Region: Ladakh.
Date: December (Tibetan calendar).
Significance: Ladakhi New Year celebration, started by King Jamyang Namgyal.

8. Saffron Festival

Location: Pampore (Kashmir Valley).
Date: November (during the saffron harvest).
Significance: Celebrates the cultivation of saffron and features cultural performances like Kud, Bhand, and Dumhal dances.

9. Shikara Festival

Location: Dal Lake, Srinagar.
Date: July-August.
Significance: Promotes Kashmir tourism.
Tradition: Includes Shikara Race, Dragon Boat Race, and Canoe Polo Match.

10. Amarnath Yatra

Location: Amarnath Cave, Himalayas (12,756 ft elevation).
Date: July-August.
Significance: Hindu pilgrimage to the ice lingam of Lord Shiva.

11. Eid-ul-Fitr

Region: Jammu and Kashmir.
Date: End of Ramadan (Islamic Calendar).
Significance: Celebrates the conclusion of fasting.
Tradition: Special prayers, feasts, and charity to the needy.

12. Eid-ul-Zuha

Region: Jammu and Kashmir.
Date: 10th day of Dhu-al-Hijjah (Islamic Calendar).
Significance: Also called the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to God.

13. Urs Festival

Region: Kashmir.
Significance: Celebrated on the death anniversaries of Muslim saints like Meesha Sahib, Batamol Sahib, and Bahauddin.
Tradition: Attended by Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.

14. Matho Nagrang Festival

Location: Matho Monastery, Ladakh.
Date: February-March.
Significance: Features mask dances performed by monks.

15. Diwali

Region: Jammu and Kashmir.
Date: October-November.
Significance: Festival of lights, victory of good over evil.