Jammu and Kashmir Festivals & Culture
The cultural heritage of Kashmir valley is rich in diversity. The diverse array of festivities is woven around this variegated cultural tapestry. The civilization that thrived in this region has left their indelible imprints on the culture of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kasmir valley resonates with religion, dance and music, art and crafts etc.
The melodious folk songs and riveting dances of the various ethnic groups remains an integral part of the Kashmiri culture. Thus the festivals in a way represent the multi-dimensional cultural heritage of the paradise on earth. This page gives a sneak-preview of the various festivals and ancient traditions of Jammu & Kashmir
January :
Lohri : Lohri also known as Makar Sankranti heralds the end of extreme winter.
Where: Jammu
February :
Purmandal Mela: Purmandal located 39 km from Jammu city dons a festive look during Mahashivaratri. The people of Jammu in large numbers throng the Ranbirshwar Temple, Panjbhaktar Temple and Peer Khoh..
Where: Jammu Region
March/ April :
Bahu Mela : A major festival is held at the KaliTemple inside the premises of Bahu Fort.
Where: Jammu City
April :
Tulip Festival : The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden located in Siraj Bagh is spread over 30 hectares. With more than 70 varieties of Tulip it is Asia`s largest Tulip garden.
Where: Srinagar
Spring Festival/Baisakhi : Celebrated to mark the harvest, it is considered auspicious for marriages. Devotees go for a ritual dip in lakes and rivers. Numerous fairs add to the festivities.
Where: Jammu and Srinagar
Jammu Festival : Jammu Festival is the most important festival of the Jammu region. It is celebrated on a grand scale on the eve of Baisakhi. It takes place from 13th to 15th April. Events depicting local culture, heritage, music adds to the fun.
Where: Jammu Region
Cherry Festival : The Cherry festival held across Kashmir showcases plentiful of cherry varieties. Competitions among cherry growers add to the attraction.
May :
Arts & Crafts Festival : This festival is held at the side of the Naggen lake to showcase the rich legacy of Kashmiri handicrafts. On display are Kashmiri Shawls, wood carvings, paper machie and live cultural programs.
Where: Srinagar
Shikara Festival : The waters of Dal Lake come to life with Shikara festival. The festival is marked by Shikara rides past willow fringed lake-ways, floating vegetable markets and lotus patches.
Where: Srinagar
Sindhu Darshan Festival : Celebrated on the Guru Poornima(day of the full moon, the 3 day long festival is an effort to endorse the Sindhu river( Indus river) in fostering communal and social harmony of India.
Where: Ladakh
Kheer Bhawani Mela, Tulmula : A huge number of people congregate at the Kheer Bhawani Shrine Mela to participate in “Maha Yagna “a traditional offering. Stalls are put up to sell traditional wares.
Where: Srinagar
Bhaderwah Mela : Bhaderwah is also known as “Chota Kashmir”. Special events like Helicopter ride, FAM tour of Travel operators/Writers mark the occasion.
Where: Bhaderwah
July :
Gurez Festival : Gurez Festivalis marked by folk songs and dances by local inhabitants including school students. A special attraction is the rafting camp organized in the Gurez valley.
Where: Gurez
Water Sports Festival :Water sports like water skiing, boat races, scooter rides are held across various lakes of Srinagar- Dal, Nageen and ManasbalLake.
Where: Srinagar
Hemis Festival : Major monasteries in the Ladakh region hold their own monastic festival which are not only strictly religious but also serve as a means of social entertainment. The most important among the monastic festivals is the Hemis Festival held at Hemis Monastery. The event marks the important dates in Tibetan form of Buddhism. Thangkas are displayed, Chamms, a form of Mask dance are performed along with a host of other cultural events.
Where: Ladakh
Kargil/ Zanskar Festival : This festival spreading over 5 days is held at Padum Zanskar/ Kargil. A combination of sports and local cultural events mark the festivities.
Where: Kargil
August:
Gardens of Paradise festival :The historical Mughal Gardens of Srinagar are the venue for this festival. Food stalls showcasing authentic Kashmiri cuisines and cultural events are held amidst terraced landscape with cascading fountains.
Where: Srinagar
August/ September :
Chaitre Chaudash :Chaitre Chaudash is clebrated at Uttar Behni about 25 km from Jammu city.
Where: Jammu region
September:
Apple Festival :This festival is celebrated to usher the harvest of apples. Celebrated across Kashmir valley, the event consists of stalls showcasing different varieties of luscious apples and competition among Apple growers.
Where: Across Kashmir Valley
Apricot Festival :A plethora of prized Kargil Apricots along with cultural extravaganza that is what Apricot festival is all about.
Where: Kargil
Ladakh Festival :The 15 days Ladakh festival showcases Ladakh’s age old traditions and customs. Events include horse Polo, Archery et al.
Where: Ladakh
September-October:
Navaratra :J&K Tourism Department in active association with Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and district administration celebrates the Navaratra festival at Katra, the base camp of Vaishno Devi. Folk and devotional music, flower shows, poney/pithu race, wrestling competitions are the highlights of this 9 day festival. The festival kick starts with a traditional procession consisting of school students and cultural troupes across Katra.
Where: Katra
September-October:
Bahu Mela :A major festival held at the KaliTemple in Bahu Fort.
Where: Jammu city
October:
Saffron Festival :This event showcases different varieties of Saffron grown in Kashmir. Along with saffron cultural programs and Kashmiri cuisine are also showcased to the tourists.
Where: Srinagar
November :
Jhiri Mela : A 3 day Aghar Jitto festival is held at Aghar Jitto named after Baba Jitto the legendary farmer who preferred to embrace death than withstand oppression by landlords. He was a great devotee of Ma Vaishno and a temple is built here dedicated to him.
Where: Aghar Jitto
December:
Kashmir Snow Festival:Adventure sports, cultural events along with culinary delights marks theKashmir Snow Festival. Adventure sports like skiing, ice skating, snow-boarding and snow sledging marks the occasion. Christmas is a special delight here.
Where: Gulmarg
