6 Festivals You Can Enjoy In Jammu And Kashmir

If there is paradise on Earth, we can say it is the exquisitely beautiful Kashmir! The lush greens, enchanting valleys, and snow-capped mountains provide a breathtaking view to the visitor. But, this is not all. The exciting and colorful festivals of Jammu & Kashmir add to its beauty.

People here get together; put their communal tensions and fears aside to enjoy the festivities happily with gusto. The people of Kashmir, hand in hand, rejoice and get pleasure from these moments of happiness.

This beautiful scenic state, often called Kashmiriyat, is enriched by the rich cultural heritage of Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist families living together. In fact, the holy land reverberates with the richly diverse cultures. Thus, celebrating festivals lile Holi, Diwali, and Eid come naturally and enthusiastically to the people.

# Lohri

Mostly celebrated on the 13th of January every year, Lohri indicates the end of the acute winter season. This is also the time of sugar cane and Rabi harvesting. During this festival, people especially farmers, light a bonfire and beat drums. Peanuts, rewri, and gur are distributed amongst people to be eaten and thrown into the holy fire as a religious offering.

Kashmiris, Muslim, and Hindus excitedly and exuberantly dance together to the drum beats playing in the background. Delicacies prepared out of jaggery, peanuts, sesame seeds, and corn are served. As people munch on these delicacies and sing dance to music and the Dhol, they celebrate the sugarcane harvesting with great spunk and excitement.

# Ram Navami

Ram Navami, in reality, is a Hindu festival celebrated in reverence of Lord Rama. On the ninth day of Navratras, this festival ends with divine songs, Ram Katha, and recitals in temples. This celebrates the birth of the Hindu God, Lord Rama. Henceforth, after the 9 navratras, on the auspicious day of Ram Navami, devotees fast and worship Lord Rama and Shiva.

# The Urs

Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus participate in Ziarats or Urs festivals. During this festival, the whole community gets together to commemorate the memory of Bahauddin, Batamol Sahib, and Meesha Sahib, the famous learned Muslim saints.

At the time of the Urs festival, the weather is bad. But, it is not a deterrent for the people. People from all walks of life and religions gather to attend this huge celebration.

# Eid Ul Fitr and Bakra Eid

After fasting for thirty days in the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid Ul Fitr. During this month, Muslims offer Namaaz, six times a day. They, then break their fast at the end of the day, with a huge feast. People celebrate this festival by meeting relatives, dressing up in new clothes and exchanging sweets.

Bakra Eid or Eid Ul Azha is another festival that comes in the last six months of every year, and it is celebrated with great pomp and show. In Muslim households, sheep, goats, or camels get sacrificed in the form of “Kurbaani”. Eid ul Azha falls in July and Eid ul Fitr normally comes in May.

# Baisakhi

This festival is popular amongst the Sikh community in Kashmir and falls on the 13th of April. Moreover, it marks the beginning of the New Year in India. The day also embraces and welcomes the harvesting season of the country. In fact, the valleys of Kashmir resound with the welcoming and warm culturally-rich celebrations on Baisakhi.

This auspicious day also indicates that the winter season is passé. Now is the time to welcome the warmth of summer through a prominent ceremony. People, love this vibrant and energetic harvest festival and often visit Gurudwaras, the holy shrine, for worship and “Langar”. Langar is the food prasad distributed at this place of worship.

# Shikara Festival

Book the dates from the first week of March to the second week of March, to experience exciting competitive boat games at the Shikara Festival. The tourists love being a part of the Dragon Boat race, Canoe Polo Match, and Shikara race. Shikaras are the most famous sight on Dal Lake, and help promote tourism in Kashmir. Besides this, there are cultural programs to keep travelers busy during the Kashmir holiday.