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Fairs and festivals of Jammu and Kashmir are a reflection of the diverse cultural and social heritage of the valley. Like all other parts of India, Kashmir too abounds with numerous fairs and festivals throughout the year. Fairs and festivals of Kashmir are celebrated with much fanfare and joy, regardless of the religion. Lohri is celebrated with as much enthusiasm as Id or Diwali. Given below is a list of the major fairs and festivals of Kashmir:
Baisakhi (celebrated on April 13 or 14)
Considered an auspicious occasion for marriages, the festival of Baisakhi is basically the harvest festival of northern India. The name of the festival is derived from the first month of the Hindu/Vikram calender, i.e. “Vaishakh”. Devotees take ritual dips in the holy rivers and welcome the new year with full warmth. It has a special significance for the Sikhs, as their tenth Guru, Gobind Singhji formed the Khalsa sect on the same day in 1699. Listening to Kirtans, offering prayers in Gurudwaras (worship place for the Sikhs), holding Langar (common kitchen) and watching Bhangra (traditional Sikh/Punjabi dance) are the major attractions of this festival.
Purmandal Mela
The major attraction of this fair is the wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. It is celebrated on the occasion of Maha Shivratr which falls in the month of February or March. It is held in Purmandal town, which is located around 39 km from Jammu city. If you visit Jammu region during Shivratri, you can see the colourful celebration all around, especially at Peer Khoh, the Ranbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple.
Jhiri Mela
This fair is held in the village of Jhiri, 14 km from Jammu. It is celebrated in memory of a simple, God-loving and honest farmer Baba Jitu, who committed suicide to protest against the unfair demands of the cruel landlord regarding his crop. His followers congregate at Jhiri on the appointed day from every corner of North India in the month of October or November. People revere him for his compassion, courage and honesty, and an annual fair is held in his honor.
Food And Craft Mela
This traditional fair is organized by Jammu & Kashmir Tourism during Baisakhi, at the scenic Mansar Lake (around 60 km from Jammu). The fair lasts for three days and people visit this fair for the special handicrafts, unique arts and cuisine of the state.
Apart from all these celebrations, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is known for Bahu Mela (held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort; twice a year: Mar-Apr and Sept-Oct), Chaitre Chaudash (celebrated at Uttar Behni about 25 km from Jammu in Mar-Apr), Navratri (nine day fasting of the Hindus for goddess Durga), Hemis Festival (a religious fair marked by masked dances and other festivities) and so on. Jammu & Kashmir celebrates one or the other festival/occasion almost every month. So, anytime you visit the place, you are likely to experience a traditional and cultural activity of the local people that is totally distinctive from the rest of India.
Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty since time immemorial and has been aptly described as "heaven on earth". The state has some of the best tourist spots in the country. Tourists from India, and abroad, visit the state to enjoy its scenic beauty. Tourism is one of the main industries of the state and has immensely contributed to the economy. Some of the major tourist attractions in the state are Gulmarg, Pahalgam.
Jammu is also known as the City of Temples. Some famous temples located here are Raghunath Temple, Bave Wali Mata, Ranbireshwar Temple and Panchbakhtar Temple just to name a few. The summer capital Srinagar is famous for its Dal Lake. The biggest attraction of the Dal Lake are the houseboats that can be seen floating there. The Mughal Gardens of Srinagar is also a popular tourist attraction. Some of the major pilgrimage centres of the nation are located in the state. The two most important pilgrimage centres are the Amarnath Caves and Vaishnodevi Shrine.
Apart from its rich cuisine and culture, there are many other attractions that one can indulge in while on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Some of these are trekking, rafting and skiing. Kashmir is also known for its traditional crafts and has some of the best handicrafts in the country; carpets, shawls, paper mache and walnut wood craft to name a few.
Jammu and Kashmir has some of the best hotels to cater to its ever-growing tourism industry. Hotels range from the budget category to the luxury ones. Even the Dal Lake houseboats come in various categories like deluxe and economy.
