The state of Jammu and Kashmir is popular for its rich culture and diverse traditions. The popularity of the state is also shown in the famous festivals of Jammu and Kashmir that are celebrated with great joy. People in Kashmir come together to celebrate festivals together keeping all their worries aside. All the festivals are celebrated with full zeal and zest by the residents. By being a part of these festivals, you will get amazed by the color, happiness, and joy of the celebrations of the festival.
In case you also plan to visit Jammu & Kashmir in the coming future, then check out some of the top most famous festivals of Jammu and Kashmir and witness the hospitality of the people through these festivals.
List of 7 Famous Festivals in Jammu & Kashmir
The vibrant and joyous celebrations across the state and the festival celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir will make you feel pampered.
Baisakhi
Baisakhi is a trendy and famous festival in Jammu and Kashmir. Every year, on the first day of Vaishakh, the people of Jammu celebrate Baisakhi, which is also known as the harvest festival.
The festival of Baisakhi signifies the end of the winter season. Also, this day is the New Year for Sikh religious people. It is quite a famous festival for the people of Northern India and is celebrated by taking ritual dips in the holistic water.
Key attractions of this festival: doing prayers in Gurudwaras, listening to Kirtans, and organizing Langar for people.
Gurez
Located almost 123 kilometers away from Srinagar, Gurez is a small valley at the height of 8,000 feet above sea level. The panoramic beauty of the valley boasts scenic views as it used to lie on the ancient Silk Route. Apart from natural wonders, Gurez Valley also hosts an annual festival where the people of Gurez showcase their handicrafts, delectable cuisines, and vibrant culture, making it one of the most vibrant festivals in Kashmir.
Key attractions: The main attractions of the Gurez festival include river rafting, trekking, zorbing, and cycling. Several competitions such as painting and drawing are also organized during this festival. During the festival, many people take part in river rafting, zorbing, etc. but the best part remains the soft flute music and folk Kashmiri songs sung by the shepherds.
Gurez Festival Month: It is one of the most famous festivals of Jammu Kashmir and is celebrated in the months of July or August.
Tulip Festival in Jammu and Kashmir
The valley of Kashmir is popular for Tulips and so are the Tulip Gardens of Kashmir. Kashmir hosts Asia’s maximum tulip gardens and organizes the Tulips Festival in the region. During the spring season, visiting the Tulip Gardens is altogether an incredible experience. Tulip Festival is organized at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar where different kinds of Kashmiri cuisines and handicrafts are also showcased. Numerous cultural programs along with the array of tulips add stars to the festival.
Key attractions: It is a 15-day long festival celebrated in April every year. More than 50 varieties and dozens of colors of tulips are showcased at this festival. The Tulip Festival of Jammu and Kashmir is an ideal way to witness the most gorgeous sights of the season in the city.
Tulip Festival Date: 1 – 30 April
Shikara Festival
Being the key highlight of Kashmir, the Dal Lake needs no introduction. Shikara is the most popular attraction in Kashmir, and to boost tourism in the state, the Government started hosting this festival from the year 2016. Through this festival, the culture of Kashmir is showcased.
Key attractions: During this festival, the Shikaras are designed and decorated in a colorful way. Various matches are organized during this time. The Shikaras get a chance to participate in the Shikara race, Canoe Polo match, and Dragon Race.
Shikara Festival Date: The festival is celebrated in the month of July or August.
Saffron Festival
It is yet another festival celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir in India. The state of Kashmir is known worldwide for its high-quality saffron. This festival is the old tradition of celebrating the process of reaping saffron since the pre-Mughal era. The annual Saffron Festival serves a dual purpose, first, it celebrates and applaud the efforts of the cultivators, and second, it is aimed at promoting the tourism of the state.
Key attractions: The key activities that are part of this celebration include the saffron plucking activity, followed by people enjoying the traditional folk music of Kashmir and folk dance.
Saffron Festival Celebration Month: The saffron blossoms from October to November, so the festival is also organized during these months. The cool atmosphere and fertile soil of Kashmir Valley make Saffron cultivation easy in this land.
Lohri
The festival of Lohri is also called Makar Sankranti. It marks the beginning of the spring season. On this festival, the entire Jammu region wears a festive look and takes a dip in the holy rivers. ‘Havan Yagnas’ performed on this day light up almost all the houses and temples in Jammu. As per the customs, boys ask for gifts from newlyweds and new parents.
Key attraction: On Lohri, a special dance named the ‘Chajja’ dance is organized. It looks very amazing to see ‘Chajjas’ which are elaborately decorated with colored paper and flowers.
Eid-Ul-Fitr
The festival of Eid is celebrated after month-long fasting by Muslims all over the world. This festival is also celebrated with utmost joy in Jammu & Kashmir. The residents wear new clothes and exchange sweets on this day. During EidUlZuha or Bakra Eid, a goat is sacrificed in every Muslim house.
How to Reach Kashmir
By Air
Srinagar is accessible by air. Several private and public airlines provide regular service at Srinagar Airport (Sheikh ul Alam Airport) which is well-connected with most of the major cities in India. Travelers can take cabs or taxis from the airport to reach their destination. Also, the Jammu Airport in the city is the closest domestic airport well-connected to various cities such as New Delhi, Srinagar, and Leh
By Rail
The nearest airport to Jammu and Kashmir is Jammu Tavi Railway Station which is well-connected to most of the important cities in North India. Cabs and Taxis are available outside the railway station that takes you to your destination.
By Road
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is accessible by road as well. National Highway 1A runs through the Jammu district connecting it to other nearby places, including the summer capital Srinagar.
Conclusion
So, these are a few of the most famous festivals of Jammu & Kashmir celebrated in Kashmir every year. If you want to explore the diverse background of Kashmir, then experiencing the festivals of that particular place can help you achieve so. So be a part of these celebrations and witness all the fervour by booking your honeymoon trip to Kashmir with Honeymoon Bug.
FAQs About Famous Festivals of Kashmir
List the main festivals of Kashmir.
A few of the famous festivals of Jammu and Kashmir include Tulip Festival, Baisakhi, Shikara Festival, Gurez, etc.
What is the famous dance of Jammu and Kashmir?
The Dumhal is a famous dance, performed by men of the Wattal region of Kashmir valley. The traditional folk dance performed by women is the Rouff.
Name the harvest festival of Jammu and Kashmir.
Baisakhi is one of the major harvest festivals celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir. Also, it is one of the most famous festivals of Jammu and Kashmir which witness humongous celebrations in the state.
Name the cultural festival in Kashmir.
Shikhara Festival is the cultural festival of Jammu and Kashmir and is celebrated during the months of July or August. The festival includes Shikhara races, dragon boat races, and canoe polo matches.
What is the culture of Jammu and Kashmir?
Jammu and Kashmir’s culture is an amalgamation of various religious practices including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. It is often addressed as Kashmiriyat.
Which Mela is famous in Jammu and Kashmir?
Bahu Mela Bahu Mela Festival is the famous mela in Jammu and Kashmir which is celebrated twice a year, from March to April and then again from September to October. The mela is celebrated at the 3000 years old Bahu Fort, which is located almost 5 kilometers from the main city. During the festival, devotees offer prayers, take a sacred dip in the Tawi River, and enjoy a variety of joy rides.
Why I should visit the state of Jammu and Kashmir during the festival season?
During your visit to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, you can see the true colors of the diverse religions and cultures of the people living here. The local dance and singing and the folklore make all the festivals a grand affair and let you catch the glimpse of the local culture of Jammu and Kashmir.
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