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Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse places in India, offering a glimpse into the rich traditions of different religions and local tribes that live there. Several famous festivals in Jammu and Kashmir are celebrated throughout the year. For travellers and cultural enthusiasts, experiencing these festivals provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture, participate in age-old rituals, and witness the festive spirit that brings communities together. If you are planning to witness any of the pompous celebrations, you must curate your travel itinerary around the specific festival that you want to witness.
List of 10 Famous Festivals In Jammu And Kashmir
These famous festivals in Jammu and Kashmir enable you to truly immerse yourself in the soul of the region and have a chance to experience its rich heritage.
1. Hemis Festival
Photo: MaryOfPrag / Wikimedia Commons
Hemis Festival is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in the region. The charm of this festival lies in its festivities wherein the monks and the visitors engage in dancing and playing musical instruments around the central location of the monastery. The festival is celebrated every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Padmasambhava. It is a state festival and it is a holiday throughout the region. With processions, unique traditions and people dressing up, the celebrations are believed to bring both physical and spiritual health to the people.
Location: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
Month Of Celebration: June
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Srinagar In Winter
2. Tulip Festival
Photo: Alessandro Segala / Unsplash.com / Image For Representation Only
Up next on the list of famous festivals of Jammu and Kashmir is the Tulip Festival. It is quite a newly added festival but one that’s celebrated with a lot of vigour and enthusiasm. More than the celebration, the highlight of this festival comes with the visual feast that you get to witness. The Tulip Festival primarily celebrates the blooming of the tulips in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar. Over 40 varieties of tulips paint a breathtaking landscape, attracting visitors from across the globe.
Location: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar
Month Of Celebration: April
3. Galdan Namchot
Photo: Gautam1962 / Wikimedia Commons
Among the popular festivals of Jammu and Kashmir, a unique festival worth discussing is Galdan Namchot. It is a renowned festival in Tibetan Buddhism and is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Je Tsongkhapa, who was a proponent of the Gelug branch of Tibetan Buddhism. This particular festival has ties with another regional festival called the Losar Festival. On the fifth day of the Galdan Namchot festival, the local Tibetan tribes start their new year. The festival symbolises the start of new beginnings, the surrounding homes and monasteries are illuminated with lights.
Location: Leh Palace, Ladakh
Month Of Celebration: December
Suggested Read: Srinagar Temples
4. Shikara Festival
Photo: Bhandarijay15 / Wikimedia Commons
If you are in Srinagar and want to witness the spectacle of the shikaris or houseboats lined up on the beautiful Dal Lake, visiting during the Shikara festival is a must. It is a boat race competition but one that attracts tourists from across the world. The view of the decorated shikaras propelled by the skilled oarsmen is truly a spectacle to witness. Since it’s a competition, the area around Dal Lake is surrounded by tourists and locals alike. There are several stalls lining the lakefront, further adding to the beauty of the place as well.
Location: Dal Lake, Ladakh
Month Of Celebration: March
5. Eid-ul-Fitr
Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, including in Jammu and Kashmir. The festival marks the end of the month of Ramadan and is of extreme significance to the Muslim community residing in Jammu and Kashmir. Beyond prayers at the local mosques, the Muslims also perform an act of charity after the completion of the festival.
Location: Across Jammu and Kashmir, with major celebrations in Srinagar
Month Of Celebration: March
Suggested Read: Trekking In Kashmir
6. Losar Festival
Photo: Ljbonner / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
More commonly known as the Tibetan New Year celebration, the Losar Festival is another one of the important festivals of Jammu and Kashmir. Losar is a joyous occasion filled with traditional customs and rituals. The best part of this particular festival lies in the way the houses are decorated and the streets are adorned with lights and other decorations to mark the beginning of the Ladakhi new year. On this day, special dishes like ‘Skyu’ are prepared at home and the families exchange gifts to share their happiness and celebrations.
Location: Ladakh region
Month Of Celebration: February-March
7. Amarnath Yatra
Photo: Hardik Buddhabhatti / Wikimedia Commons
Among the best Jammu and Kashmir festivals, the Amarnath Yatra is one that often gains a lot of traction from the locals and tourists alike. The pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave temple is one of the most revered pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir where lakhs of people embark on this long trek to witness the ice lingam of Lord Shiva. The trek covers a distance of 43 km from Nunwan to Chandanwari villages. It also involves camping at Sheshnag Lake and Panchtarni, following which the pilgrimage continues to the temple.
Location: Amarnath Cave Temple
Month Of Celebration: June to August
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Jammu
8. Gurez Festival
Photo: Journo Mohsin / Wikimedia Commons
If you are familiar with Gurez Valley in Kashmir, you need to visit during the Gurez festival to witness one of the cultural famous festivals in Jammu and Kashmir. The festival primarily celebrates the unique culture and heritage of the Gurez Valley. The main objective behind the celebration of this festival is to promote tourism by showcasing the local heritage and traditions of the Dard-Shina community living there. Some of the popular activities during the festival include exhibitions of local handicrafts, cuisine, and a showcase of the region’s rich biodiversity.
Location: Gurez Valley
Month Of Celebration: July
9. Baisakhi
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Baisakhi, a vibrant harvest festival celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir, marks the beginning of the new agricultural season. Held on April 13th, it is a time of joy and gratitude for the bountiful crops. The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region, with locals engaging in traditional dance forms like Bhangra and Gidda, as well as singing folk songs. Temples and gurudwaras are adorned with decorations, and special prayers are offered for prosperity and well-being.
Location: Jammu region, particularly in the towns and villages
Month Of Celebration: April
Suggested Read: Best Food In Kashmir
10. Saffron Festival
Photo: Umarsami / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most famous festivals in Jammu and Kashmir is the Saffron festival. While the festival is celebrated across the state, it is Pampore where it’s celebrated the most grandly since it is responsible for maximum production of saffron. The festival is celebrated during the annual harvest of saffron and the areas surrounding Pampore host several cultural programs where folk dances are performed. Also, during the festival, you will get a taste of the authentic Kahwa, further adding to the experience.
Location: Pampore, Jammu and Kashmir
Month Of Celebration: November
Several famous festivals in Jammu and Kashmir are celebrated with a lot of fun and enthusiasm. If you want to get a closer look into the religious, cultural, and seasonal celebrations, ensure that you plan your next trip to Kashmir ahead of time. Secure the best deals and discounts with TripXL today!
Cover Photo: Soubhagya Maharana / Pexels
