Fairs and Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir
General Introduction
The new years day falls on the first navratra. It begans with an invocation to laxmi,the goddess of bounty. The Navroj festival of the shia muslims comes a week after the new years day. They celebrate the nine day festival with good eating and activities of gay abandon. In April comes durga ashtmi followed by ram navami. The Ziarats held annually at the shrines of Muslim saints on their death anniversaries are typical kashmiri festivals,replete with the color and gaiety. The anniversary of Rishi Pir,a Hindu Saint held on the fifth day of the full moon of Baisakhi is attended by Muslims also.
Shab-i-Mairaj is followed by Shab-i-Barat. Then comes Jeth Ashtami,suceeded in a month by Har Ashtami.
Hand knotted carpets are available in pure wool and mixed with cotton and silk. The pattern tend to the traditional, the Persian and bukhara styles being common though figurative designs such as the Tree of life are becoming increasingly popular.
During the month of Ramzan, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking during the day. At sunset the fast broken by sipping water and then comes the usual dinner. The Eid is celebrated with eclat and pious enthusiam. Rakhi or Rakshabandhan in northern India is the day for brothers and sisters to renew the affectionate ties that bind them. On the 8th day of Rakhi falls JanamAshtmi. The birthday of lord krishna.
Kashmiris are proud of the vitasta or the Jhelum river and trhe Vaitha Truvah. they offer prayers to it. Earthen lamps are set afloat on the river,each balanced on a grass ring. A tropical festival known as khichri amavasya falls in the month of posh(december-january). The shiv ratri falls in february-march.
Other crafts include crewel work (chain stitching) on fabric), fur coats and ‘kashmiri silver’ jewellery, silk and fine wood carving, particularly on walnut wood.
Fairs in Jammu and Kashmir
Location: Jammu
Famous Fairs: Purmandal Mela, Jhiri Mela & Mansar Food And Crafts Mela
Festivals in Jammu and Kashmir
Dosmocha
Location: Ladakh Region, J&K;
Festive Month: February
Golden Namchit
Location: Ladakh Region, J&K;
Festive Month: December
Gu-stor
Location: Ladakh Region, J&K;
Significance: Traditional Celebration Of The Monasteries Of The Reformist Geluk-Pa Order Of Tibetan Buddhism.
Hemis festival
Location: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh Region, J&K;
Celebration Months: June-July
Also Known As: Tse-Chu
Significance: Symbolises Ancient Traditions Of Kar-Gyur-Pa Sect Of Tibetan Buddhism.
Losar
Location: Ladakh Region, J&K;
Famous As: Tibetan New Year
Festive Month: December
Metho nagrang
Location: Matho Monastery, Ladakh Region, J&K;
Festive Month: February-March
Monastic festivals
Location: Ladakh Region, J&K;
Famous Festivals: Losar, Spituk Gustor, Gu-Stor, Dosmosche, Tse-Chu, Matho Nagrang, Stok Guru Tse-Chu, Yuru Kabgyat, & Galdan Namchot
Famous Monastic Dance: Chhams
Yuru Kabgyat
Location: Ladakh Region, J&K;
Festive Month: July
Duration: 2 Days
Stok Guru Tse – Chu
Location: Ladakh Region, J&K;
Festive Month: February-March
Phyang Tsedup
Location: Phyang Monastery,
17-km West Of Leh, Ladakh Region, J&K;
Sindhu Darshan Festival
Venue: Leh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Celebration Months: June
Significance: Sindhu Is Known As One Of The Largest Rivers In World.
Festivals in Jammu
Region: Jammu, J&K;
Famous Festivals: Lohri & Baisakhi,Navratra