Jammu and Kashmir is the state which is better known as the ‘Heaven on Earth’. This place consists of three main regions and they are Jammu the Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Jammu and Kashmir attracts thousands of tourists all round the year. People visit Jammu for its beautiful temples and also for the extremely refreshing lassi. Kashmir is famous for its beautiful snow capped mountains, its Shikaras, its magnificent Houseboats and of course its cottage industries. The excellent shawls, sweaters, scarves and leather goods of Kashmir tempt the tourists to a great extent. The main languages spoken here are Kashmiri, Urdu, Balti, Dogri, Pahari, Ladakhi and so on. Dogri is one of the state languages. Kashmiri women like any other women love to adorn themselves with ornaments, they wear a long coat called Pheran as their main dress. These pherans are beautifully embroidered and also very colorful. A little different pherams are used by Kashmiri men. Pashmina shawls are also another tradition of the place. Kashmir is also famous for its carpets which are works of real art and taste. People take a lot of time to complete the carpets with the marvelous nakkashis. Kashmir has a rich art and culture. Dhumal and Rauf are two common dance forms of the valley.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is a true example of Unity in Diversity. Since the state is divided in three regions therefore it celebrates the festivals of Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. The main festivals are Baisakhi, Lohri, Id-Ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Hemis Jhiri Mela, Navaratra.
Popular Festivals of Jammu & Kashmir
Baisakhi
This is a harvest festival. It is celebrated in the same way as in other parts of north India. It is mainly a Sikh festival but it is celebrated here with great enthusiasm as there is a big population of Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir. It heralds the good harvest of the state. People make delicacies in their houses with the new crops. Relatives and friends are invited to houses and treated with the delicacies. It is a time of enjoyment. Many fairs are held during this time. Some of these fairs are weeklong fairs and people visit them as they serve to be unique place for shopping. This day is actually very important for the Sikhs also because it the birthday of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. This festival also bids farewell to the winter season and the most energetic Bhangra dance is a part of this festival.
Eid-ul-Fitr
Since majority of the people are muslims in Kashmir this is a great festival in the valley as well as in Jammu. This festival is also called Feast of Breaking the Fast. It is a very important religious festival. It marks the end of the hard fasting days of Ramadan. During the Ramadan days the Muslims do not eat anything in the daylight hours. They eat before sunrise and after sunset. It helps them to be more patient and to discipline their life. Many people of the Muslim community give alms to the poor and also gifts are given throughout the month. In the month of Ramadan the people forget past grievances and try to begin fresh relationships. On the day of the festival they invite all their friends and relatives and enjoy feasts, they wear new clothes and it is thus the greatest festival of the Muslims in Jammu Kashmir and all over the world.
Lohri
This is celebrated to welcome spring. It is celebrated mainly at night by lighting a fire. Women sing songs and dance around the fire and sprinkle puffed rice and sweets in the flames.
Eid-ul-Azha
This is another very important festival of the Muslims. During this festival people sacrifice goats, sheep and even camels.
Hemis
This festival is mainly celebrated to depict the victory of good over evil. It is an important festival of the Ladakh region.
Jhiri Mela
This festival is celebrated in Kashmir as well as in Jammu in honor of Jitu Baba an honest farmer who was forced by his landlord to give away his crops.
Navratra
The festival is carried on for nine days and nights. During this festival Goddess Durga is worshipped. This is actually the worship of Shakti.