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Fair & Festivals in Jammu & Kashmir |
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Fairs and Festivals in Jammu
Lohri
Also known as Makar Sankranti. On this day the whole city wears a festive look. Thousands take a dip in the holy river.
'Havan Yagnas' light up nearly every house and temple in Jammu. A special dance called the '
chajja' dance is held on the occasion of Lohri. It makes a striking picture to see boys along with their
'chajjas' elaborately decorated with coloured paper and flowers move on the street in a dancing procession. The whole atmosphere comes alive with the pulsating drum beats.
Baisakhi
The first day of the month of 'Baishakh' is celebrated as Baisakhi. It is also known as the Harvest Festival. Rivers, canals and ponds are thronged by devotees who unfailingly take a ritual dip every year. Numerous fairs are organized and people come in thousands to celebrate the beginning of the new year.
Purmandal Mela
Purmandal is located about 39 kms from Jammu. On
Shivratri, the town is transformed for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to goddess Parvati here. The people of Jammu come out in their colourful best to celebrate Shivratri at Peer
Khoh, the Ranbireshwar Temple and Panjbhaktar Temple.
Bahu Mela
A major festival is held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort twice a year.
Jhiri Mela
Held in the name of Baba Jitu who was a simple God fearing honest man who killed himself rather than submitting himself to the unjust demands of the local landlord. A legend has grown around the Baba and his followers congregate at Jhiri on the appointed day from every corner of North India; they revere him for his compassion, courage and honesty and hold an annual fair in his name.
Mansar Food & Craft Mela
This mela is organised by The J & K Tourism department during
Baisakhi. Held at the Mansar Lake 60 kms from Jammu it is a three-day celebration of the local crafts and cuisine, where people from adjoining states also take part.
Fairs and Festivals in Kashmir
Shiv Ratri
The 13th day of dark fortnight in Phagan is celebrated as Shiv
Ratri. During this time house cleaning is done. Money and fish are sent to married daughters. On the 13th day the head of the family performs the puja of Shiva on night following a feast on the 14th day.
Sont(Sankrant)
A basket of unhusked rice, with a bread, a rupee, a pen-case, a cup of curds, a few walnuts, a crumb of cooked rice and some flowers, are kept overnight and seen the first thing in the morning by the inmates of the house just on opening their eyes from sleep. Each picks up one or two walnuts which are dropped in the river after bathing.
Naureh Mavas
A fair is held at Vichar Nag, a northern suburb of Srinagar on the 15th day of dark fortnight of
Chet.
Baisakhi
A fair is held at Gupta Ganga near the Nishat Bagh on the first day on the month
Baisakh.
Durga Ashtami
A fair is held at Khir Bhawani (Tula Mulah) on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of
Chet
Ram Navami
A fair is held at Hari Parbat and at Raghu Nath Temple on the 9th day of bright fortnight of
Chet.
Vetal Shasti
A fair is held at the different shrines of Vetals in Srinagar on the 6th day of dark fortnight in
Baisakh.
Achhen Trai
A fair is held at Kothar, a village in Tehsil Anantnag on the 3rd day of bright fortnight of
Baisakh.
Ganesh Choudas
A fair is held at the Ganesh Ghat in Srinagar on the 14th day of bright fortnight of
Baisakh.
Ganga Ashtami or Sharda Ashtami
A fair is held at Harmukata Ganga where ashes of those who have died during the past twelve months are carried and thrown into the lake there after performing the
Shraddha. Another fair is held at Ganga Jatan (Pratapsinghpora) where a bath is taken by the pilgrims in the water oozing out from a precipice there. In leap years the fairs are not held at Harmukata Ganga and Ganga
Jatan, but at Sharda and then it is called Sharada Ashtami.
Dashera
This day is celebrated with great pomp. The weapons and instruments of war are hallowed and then a campaign is opened. Three immense figures, stuffed with gun-powder, are made to represent
Ravana, Kumbakarna and Meghanada and these are placed at the proper time in the centre of a large open space without the city. To represent Rama, Sita and
lakhshman, three little boys are splendidly dressed and carried in a palanquin to the same place. Crowds of people gather there and the Maharaja sends all the troops with the guns, etc. At a given signal one of the little boys, who is supposed to be Rama, steps forth from the palanquin attended by the two other little boys and fires a small arrow at the big figure representing
Ravana, while the other boys discharge their arrows against the other two figures. Of course at this moment the three monsters,
ravana, Kumbakarna and Meghanada explode with a tremendous noise and then the guns rattle and the cannon roar and the people applause.
Fairs and Festivals in Leh
Hemis
A colorful festival is held to commemorate the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, who is believed to have fought with demons for the safety of the local people. Mask dances are organised and stalls are put up selling handicrafts and other wares.
Losar
This is celebrated in the eleventh month of the Buddhist year. Its origin dates back to the 15th century. It was held before a battle as it was feared that not many would survive.
Ladakh Festival
It is organised by the District Tourist Office, Leh. Some other religious festival organised at different monasteries can be witnessed by tourist.
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