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 river. 'Havan Uagnas' 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 organised 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
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 colourful best to celebrate Shivratri at Peer Khoh, the
Ranbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple.
In fact, if you
visit the Jammu 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 oganised by J&K Tourism during Baisakhi
every year. Held at the picturesque Mansar Lake- 60 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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