Culture:- Fairs & festivals of Jammu Division

CULTURE Of JAMMU_DIVISION:-

Jammu- City Of Temples
Area:- 26,293 sq. Km( Largest- Kishtwar  & Smallest - Samba)
Population :- 5,350,811 (Muslims= 65%, Hindu=31%, sikh=3% Buddhist & others =1%)

Jammu is known as city of temple , having multiple fairs & festivals. The diversity of culture in Jammu region is based on its geographical & regional demography. The culture of Chenab valley is different from Jammu region. But people mingle in such diverse fairs & festivals & travel from one district to another for fairs & festivals. Here , are few famous ones:- 

1. LOHRI( 13 Jan- One day before Makar sankranti)

This festival is also known as Makar Sankarnti. 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. The whole atmosphere comes alive with the pulsating drum beats.

2. Puramandal Mela :- (Phalgun month-February -on the occasion of Maha shivratri):-On Shivratri, the town is transformed for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati here. The people of Jammu also come out in their colorful best to celebrate Shivaratri at peer khoh, the Rainbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple.

3. Bahu Mela :- ( March-April  & Sept-oct) A Major festival is held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort(Jammu) twice a year. Bahu temple , is 3000 years old , built by Raja Bahulochan. The image of Mahakali deity in the temple in the fort was brought from Ayodhya

4.Tihar (March-april) :- It is famous festival celebrated in  Bhaderwah & Kishtwar in the months of chaitra. , dedicated to serents gods. Don't link with Nepalese as they also celebrate Tihar during Diwali & Bhai-duj. 

5.Baisakhi:- ( April) Also known as Harvest festival. It is widely celebrated in all over jammu. 

on this day, 10th sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Ji formed Khalsa sect in 1699. Bhangra Dance is generally performed as part of celebrations. It is festival of both Hindus & Sikh.

6.Machail yatra:- July-Sept , since 1987 at Gulabgarh, Kishtwar ;-

An annual yatra for taking blessings of Goddess Chandi , located at Machail nearly 35 km form vehicle road Gulabgarh in Kishtwar, yatra start from Bhaderwah & is of three days.  

7.Kailash kund yatra:- (August) ( From Gatha to Kailash Kund at height of 14,241 ft. from sea level. An annual yatra that start from Gatha to kailash Kund.

Kailash kund is associated with lord shiva & this is lake or kund , where devotees dip themselves for well being.River Tawi , originated from kailash Kund.
8.Mela Patt( at Khakhal Mohalla- Vasuki Dera, Bhaderwah) since medival India(16th Century) :- Mela Patt is a famous festival of Bhaderwah.It is three days festival celebrated in Khakhal Mohalla of Bhaderwah , just after kailash Kund yatra. During these days people, irrespective of caste, creed participate in it in large numbers. “Mela Patt” having medieval origin occupies position among the fairs of Doda District. This is the daytime fair celebrated at “Khakhal”, a centrally located place in the township of Bhaderwah . The celebration is unique and historically traditional festival starts on the fifth day immediately after “Kailash Yatra” that is on the day of “Vinayak Chuturthi” or “Patharchoth”.Initiation of Mela Patt dates back to the sixteenth century when Akbar the great, was much impressed by the miraculous spritiual power of Raja Nagpal, the ruler of Bhaderwah Principality, at the Mughal Court, attributed to the blessings of the serpent God Nag Raj Vasuki .

Much wealth was awarded to Raja Nagpal as a token of respect to the serpent god from imperial treasure by Emperor Akbar. The wealth comprised metallic vessels gold and silver ornaments, silk fabrics and musical instruments etc.On the evening of “Patharchoth” or “Vinayak Choth” the “Jahari” (the conical metallic pot) is carried by a representative belonging to Raj-purohit family in Bhaderwah. The calmness of the dark starry night is broken with slogans, “Jai Bolo Nagae Basik Ki Jai, Phir Bolo Sanchae Durbar ki Jai,” The procession passes through the Main Bazars of the town. It concludes at the Vasuki Dhera Temple . Next morning after routine worship in the Temple , the Jahari moves to the house of Rajgurus' in Mohalla Khakhal. The team of selected person of the locality called “Dashan” prepare the traditional “Patt Jhanki.” The patt, a heavy load of conical shape with Jahari on the top decently decorated with marigold flowers garlands and ‘Haraii' adorned with hundreds of cloth – pieces of gorgeous colours is now ready for exhibition.

9.JHIRI MELA (OCT-NOV):-  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 corp. 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 him for his compassion, courage and honesty and hold an annual fair in his name.

it symbolises courage, honesty & compassion & rejuvenates the mood of the people & offers them some amount of rest & relaxation from the humdrum of daily lives 

If you know anything , plz suggest in comment box