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Jammu
and Kashmir
Fairs & Festivals:
Jammu celebrates many fair and festivals all round the year. But there few festivals which are of particular importance to the region. These festivals are celebrated with traditional fanfare and joy. Among them is Lohri also known as Makar Sankranti which is celebrated every year on 13th January. During this festival the whole Jammu region is decorated like a bride and many programmes are organised. almost every house has some kind of religious ceremony or other. One interesting custom seen particularly in the rural areas is that young boys go around asking for gifts and presents from newly-weds and new parents. The whole atmosphere pulsates with life and processions are taken out. A special dance called the Chajja is done on the drum beats. Boys dressed in colourful paper cloths perform this dance and are called Chajjas. Baisakhi is celebrated on 13th or 14th April every month. This festival marks the arrival of spring. This also called harvest festival and according to Hindi calender, it also marks the new year. This period is considered auspicious for marriages too. There are dance performances and drums all over the place. kirtans and prayers accompanied by community kitchens are organised in Gurudwaras and temples. Purmandal Mela is held at a place some 39 kms from Jammu. This festival is held to celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. People from all over the place come to celebrate Shivaratri. They are in their colourful best. Special puja and worship ceremony is organised in Peer Khoh, Ranbireshwar temple and Panjbhaktar temple. This Purmandal Mela is celebrated for three days. In a village 14 kms from Jammu called Jhiri, a fair is organised every year to revere the courage, compassion and honesty of Baba Jitu who laid down his life instead of submitting to the oppressive landlord. This fair is called the Jhiri mela and is organised in October-November. Bahu Mela is organised twice in a year March-April and September-October. It a major festival held at Kali Temple in Bahu Fort. Chaitre Chaudash is organised in March -April. The venue is Uttar Behni about 25 kms from Jammu. Here Devak river or Gupt Ganga flows in Northerly direction.
Mansar Food and Craft Mela coincides with Baisakhi. The fair is organised by the J&K tourism. And is held in the picturesque Mansar lake which is 60kms from Jammu. This festival is attended by people from adjoining states too.
Adventure Sports:
Jammu region opens many opportunities for adventure sports like Trekking, Skiing, Water Skiing and Aero Sports. Detailed description of the short and long treks can be obtained from J&K tourist office. Though brochures give information about specific and planned routes, some people make their own trails. The new trails might involve danger and risk of getting lost but the bottom line in such treks is thrill and fun. The trekking routes in Jammu region is open during summers but some treks are good in winters too. The wilderness, mountains and nature provides excellent sites for camping. At these sites one can camp and spend few days close to nature. The most exciting region for treks is Sundarani-Jungal Gali Jasar Kote- Sansar route. This route has three specific trek which are filled with excitement and fun. Trekking and hiking equipments are available at the Trekking Equipment Hire shops at Jammu, Kud and Rajouri. These shops provide imported and local trekking and camping equipments at a fixed rate.
Skiing is another important sports which is coming up very fast in Jammu region. Patnitop offers ski courses in January and February The gentle slopes here are ideal for skiing particularly for the beginners. Through out winter there are introductory courses in skiing for tourists. Madha, some 118 kms from Jammu has slopes which are good for skiing at all levels. J&K tourism is planning a ski lift which will open new avenues in skiing professional and beginners. Skiing equipments are available at the tourist offices at Patnitop and Sanasar. Wooden sledges are also for hire here. The JKTDC provides ski instructors and there are lodges, hotels for keeping skiers.
Paragliding is also catching fast among tourists in Jammu region. Sanasar is being developed as paragliding center. In the months of May-June and September-October winds are good for paragliding. Equipments can again be hired from the J&K tourist offices. Sanasar is approachable by roads from Jammu via Kud and Patnitop.
Population: About 2.5 lakh People resides in this city. (1981 census)
Languages: Dogri, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English
CAUTION: To all tourist - beware of touts, if, new to the place.
Nearby Cities:
Katra - 48 kms. Patnitop - 112 kms.
Mansar - 60 kms. Srinagar - 305 kms.
Due to the vastness of the terrain, Ladakh with its high altitudes and sparse population, is considered the state's most difficult trekking region. With the lowest altitude around 11,000 feet, in some areas just breathing can be a problem, and acclimatization prior to the trek is essential. The trekking trails in many parts of Ladakh are difficult to follow, which necessitates the trekkers to be fully equipped and prepared for any eventuality. Ladakh has been variously described as 'moonland' and 'frozen desert'. Certainly the terms are justified - greenery is rare, and even when encountered, has a certain austere quality about it..
At Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, Jammu city, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonemarg, Yusmarg and Aharbal, all bases for treks, tourist offices can assist you in procuring porters and ponies, if required. In addition to this, a number of excursion agents and tour operators who specialize in organizing treks are also available here. The trekking season extends from July to September
Vaishno Devi
Faith has moved mountains. From a cave shrine tucked away deep in the the Trikuta Mountains of Kashmir to a bustling religuous centre, the call of Mata Vaishno Devi has drawn and converted many a non-believer. Those who come as tourists leave as staunch followers singing her praises. This is the ultimate refuge of the helpless. The one place that answers your prayers. Where all dilemas are resolved. So come with faith - that's all that is asked of you.
Location: The holy cave shrine of Vaishno Devi is nestled in a beautiful recess of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas. It is located 61 km north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the cave there are images of three deities viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati.
Season: The shrine is visited all through the year, but the path is difficult during the winters when the route is often blocked by snow-fall.
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