Lohri
( January 13, every
year)
This festival is
also known as Makar
Sankranti. It
heralds the onset of
spring. The whole of
Jammu region wears a
festive look on this
day. Thousands take
a dip in the holy
rivers. 'Havan
Yagnas' light up
nearly every house
and temple in Jammu.
In the rural areas,
custom requires boys
to go around asking
for gifts from
newly-weds and new
parents. 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
(April 13 or 14)
The name Baisakhi is
taken from the first
month of the Vikram
calendar. Every
year, on the first
day of Vaishakh, the
people of Jammu -
like the rest of
northern India -
celebrate Baisakhi.
Baisakhi is also
known as the harvest
festival and is
considered
auspicious
especially for
marriages. Rivers,
canals and ponds are
thronged by devotees
who unfailingly take
a ritual dip every
year. Many people go
to the Nagbani
Temple to witness a
grand new year
celebration.
Numerous fairs are
organized and people
come in thousands to
celebrate the
beginning of the new
year and watch the
famous Bhangra dance
of Punjab. For the
Sikhs of Jammu,
Baisakhi is the day
their tenth Guru
Gobind Singhji
formed the Khalsa
sect in 1699. The
Gurudwaras are full
of people who come
to listen to Kirtans,
offer prayers and
feast on the prasad
from the common
kitchen (Langar). |
Bahu Mela
(March-April and
September-October)
A major festival is
held at the Kali
Temple in Bahu Fort
(Jammu), twice a
year. |
Chaitre Chaudash
(March-April)
Chaitre chaudash is
celebrated at Uttar
Behni about 25 kms.
from Jammu. Uttar
Behni gets its name
from the fact that
the Devak river
(also known as Gupta
Ganga locally) flows
here in the
northerly direction. |
 Purmandal
Mela
(February-March)
Purmandal is 39 kms.
from Jammu city. On
Shivratri, the town
is trans- formed for
three days as people
celebrate the
marriage of Lord
Shiva to Goddess
Parvati here. The
people of Jammu also
come out in their
colourful best to
celebrate Shivratri
at Peer Khoh, the
Ranbireshwar. Temple
and the Panjbhaktar
Temple. In fact, if
you visit the Jarnmu
region during
Shivratri, you'll
find a celebration
on almost
everywhere. |
|
Jhiri Mela
(October-November)
Baba Jitu was a
simple, God loving
and honest farmer
who preferred to
kill himself rather
than submit to the
unjust demands of
the local landlord
to part with his
crop. He killed
himself in the
village of Jhiri, 14
kms. From Jammu. 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
and Craft Mela
This Mela is
organized by J&K
Tourism during
Baisakhi every year
Held at the
picturesque Mansar
Lake 62 kms. from
Jammu, it is a three
day celebration of
the local crafts and
cuisine, where
people from
adjoining states
also take part. |
