Fairs and Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir are among the most important topics in JKSSB, JKPSC, JKAS, Police, Patwari, and other competitive examinations. Every year, direct and indirect questions are asked from this section. Candidates should prepare major festivals, their associated places, communities, and months of celebration. In this article we will cover all fairs and festivals of Jammu and Kashmir and some important questions.

Important Fairs and Festivals of J&K for Exams

Tulip Festival	Srinagar
Kheer Bhawani Mela	Tulmulla, Ganderbal
Bahu Mela	Jammu
Jhiri Mela	Jammu
Purmandal Mela	Samba district
Sindhu Darshan Festival	Leh
Hemis Festival	Ladakh

Important facts and in detailed analysis are given below:

Lohri

Lohri is a North Indian festival typically celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti or 14th January when the sun transits to the north.

• It signals the onset of spring and is celebrated with fervor and merriment by everyone across the region. The religious mandates perform ceremonies in their house as well as at temples.
• A bonfire is lit at dusk and children receive gifts from parents.
• One of the most dances that Chhaja is performed at various places through the region with groupings congregating and moving in a procession with a carnival air.

Bahumela

Bahaumela, despite being one of the biggest Hindu melas, it is attended by everyone.

• The mela or fair is unique in that it does not have a fixed date and is held twice a year, once in March or April and once in September or October.
• The fort and the Kali temple in the venue of fair. The fort and temples are decked out with lights and crowds throng the area.
• Hindus in the region are devoted followers of Kali Mata and on the occasion they visit the temple and ask for bonus.
• Children enjoy the fair as much as adults do and food vendors, toy vendors and handicraft makers set up stalls creating a festive atmosphere.

Baisakhi

Baisakhi is the North Indian term for the month of Vaishakh occurring around the middle of April.

• It signals harvest time and is predominantly a harvest festival.
• Hindus celebrate the first day of the month, first month of the Hindu calendar by praying at temples and participating in traditional ceremonies such as bathing in rivers or ponds.
• More than Hindu, it is Sikhs who celebrate Baisakhi. Since it is said that Guru Gobind Singh ji formed the Khalsa sect on this day in 1699 and thus the day has twin significance.
• Fairs are organized at various places across Kashmir and you will find people participating in the popular Sikh Bhangra dances with great intensity and joy.

Jhiri Mela

Jhiri Mela, the Jeri Mela or fair is held around October, November to commemorate the memory of Baba Jitu, a farmer who committed suicide in protest against the oppression of his landlord.

• Since he lived in Jeri, the festival is termed as Jeri Mela and is held here by his followers.
• Baba Jitu has quite a following in North India and people congregate here to celebrate this valor and fourth right stand.

Chaitra Chaudash

• This is a Kashmiri Pandit festival usually held in March or April.
• The first day of Chaitra month for them the new year of Navreh. Pandit families pray and offer unhusked rice, yogurt, sugar, nuts, salt, silver coin, flowers and mirror as votives to their deities.

Pandit and Hindu Festival

• Pandit and Hindu festival. For Hindus Shivaratri is also an important observance with Shiva temples being the venue of year, held in last week of February or first week of March.
• The festival can go on for a fortnight where Hindus elsewhere celebrate it to common merit Lord Shiva.
• Here it is Baharawa who is in the forefront whereas Hindus elsewhere may fast or eat only roots and nuts.
• The Pandits celebrate the day with a feast. One of the largest Shivaratri fairs is held at Purmandal some distance from Jammu.
• Hindu festivals would be incomplete without mentioning Diwali and Navratri.
• Diwali is celebrated by Hindus in Kashmir but not with as much fervor as in other parts of India.
• While Navratra is a gala occasion for Bengalis and Gujaratis, it is much toned down in the Kashmir, celebrated from fifth to eighth day or only on the eighth day.

Mansar Food and Craft Fair

Whereas most fairs and festivals have religious overtones, the Mansar Food and Craft Fair organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, it celebrates all of the finest in food and craft of Kashmir.

• The fair is organized in April and lasts for three days.
• You can get to sample the best cuisines of Kashmir such as shop Beg Gushtaba, Roganjosh, pasanda kebab, Dum Aloo, Kashmiri Pulao and sweets prepared by local chefs and by the finest handicrafts prepared by Kashmiris from artists from all over India at this fair.
• Kashmir handicrafts such as Krivl fabrics, carpets, pashmina shawls, papier-mâché products and walnut wood items are the highlights.
• Craftsmen and artistes from all over Kashmir and also from India congregate here and it is an opportunity to get a glimpse into Kashmir at one place as also buy some mementos.

Tulip Festival

This is a wonderful flower festival organized from the fifth to 15th of April in Srinagar at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.

• The festival showcases tulips of Srinagar apart from the flowers.
• The festival also lets you sample the culture of Kashmir by way of folk dances and songs, cultural programs, cuisines, handicrafts at the venue.

Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha.

The Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha are the most popular Muslim festivals in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of fast month of Ramadan.

• These festivals are very auspicious for all Muslims.
• They wear new clothes and attend many grand feasts.
• Eid-ul-Azha is equally important festival which is more proficient for the Qurbani sacrifice.
• People sacrifice goat, sheep and some even camels.

Snow Festival

Everywhere Jammu and Kashmir government organizes snow festival or winter games at Gulmarg between January and February like the state seeking championship Kashmir snow festival.

Amarnath Yatra

• The holy Shri Amarnath is started each year between June and August.
• Thousands of devotees visit every year to the cave shrine where natural Shivling appears in the form of ice.

Gurez Festival

• The festival Urs is held in July everywhere and showcases the traditional folk dances and songs by the Gurez locals.
• Beside white water rafting is also in the Kishan Ganga river and a camp site in the DawarValley of Gurez.

Saffron Festival

Saffron festival is celebrated in late October and early November.

• During this time early saffron is in full bloom. Kashmir Saffron is very famous in world.
• This festival offers an opportunity to see the intricate harvesting of saffron in the colorful festivals giving an enhancing view during the moonlight night.

URS

The festival Urs is organized throughout the year at various shrines mostly in honor of the birth anniversaries of saints and seers. The prominent ones include Urs Milad-un-Nabi, Urs Peer Dastageer, Urs Makhdoom Sahib, Urs Nakshband Sahib, Urs Nooruddin Noorani, Urs Ashmuqam, Urs Shahi Hamdan Khan ka Maula etc

Previous Year Exam Type Questions

Q1. Which festival is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits on Jyeshtha Ashtami?

A) Losar
B) Kheer Bhawani Mela
C) Hemis Festival
D) Sindhu Darshan Festival

Answer: B) Kheer Bhawani Mela

Q2. Bahu Mela is organized at:

A) Kheer Bhawani Temple
B) Ranbireshwar Temple
C) Kali Temple at Bahu Fort
D) Vaishno Devi Shrine

Answer: C) Kali Temple at Bahu Fort

Q3. Tulip Festival is held at:

A) Nishat Garden
B) Shalimar Garden
C) Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
D) Chashme Shahi

Answer: C) Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden