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.
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