Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir 2026, Famous Fairs and Festival List

The Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir reflect the region’s cultural diversity, religious harmony, agricultural traditions and local heritage. These celebrations include ancient religious fairs, Buddhist traditions, local cultural festivals and harvest events. Folk dances, music, rituals, fairs, traditional food and community participation make these festivals an important part of the region’s social and cultural identity.

Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir 2026

Jammu and Kashmir celebrates Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist festivals with equal enthusiasm, while several regional festivals are unique to the Union Territory. Traditional fairs held at temples, monasteries, rivers and historical sites attract thousands of devotees and visitors every year. 

Seasonal celebrations such as spring, saffron harvesting and local cultural festivals also promote regional art, handicrafts, folk traditions, agriculture and tourism.

Top 10 Main Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir 2026 List

Along with regional festivals, Jammu and Kashmir also celebrates major national festivals such as Eid, Holi and Diwali with great enthusiasm. The Top 10 List of Main Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir 2026 has been provided below:

1. Lohri 

• It is celebrated every year on 13 January across the Jammu region. 
• Lohri marks the arrival of spring and is also associated with Makar Sankranti. 
• Thousands of devotees take holy dips in rivers, while homes and temples perform Havan Yagnas. 
• Rural traditions include boys visiting newly married couples and new parents to receive gifts, while the colourful Chajja dance accompanied by drumbeats remains the festival’s main attraction.

2. Baisakhi 

• Observed on the first day of the Vikram calendar month of Vaishakh.
• Baisakhi is the principal harvest festival of Jammu. 
• Devotees take ritual baths in rivers, canals and ponds and visit Nagbani Temple for New Year celebrations. 
• Numerous fairs, Punjabi Bhangra performances, traditional food and cultural programmes are organised. 
• For the Sikh community, the festival commemorates the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, with Gurudwaras hosting Kirtans, prayers, Langar and community gatherings.

3. Bahu Mela

• Bahu Mela is organised twice every year during March-April and September-October at the Kali Temple inside the historic Bahu Fort in Jammu. 
• The festival attracts large numbers of devotees who visit the temple to offer prayers and participate in religious celebrations, making it one of Jammu’s major temple fairs.

4. Chaitre Chaudash 

• This religious festival is celebrated at Uttar Behni during March-April. 
• The place derives its name from the Devak River, locally known as Gupta Ganga, which flows northwards at this location. 
• Devotees gather here for religious observances and rituals during the annual celebration.

5. Purmandal Mela 

• Organised during Shivratri at Purmandal, about 39 kilometres from Jammu city. 
• This three day fair celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 
• Large numbers of devotees also visit Peer Khoh, Ranbireshwar Temple and Panjbhaktar Temple, while Shivratri celebrations continue across the Jammu region.

6. Jhiri Mela 

• It is observed during October-November. 
• Jhiri Mela honours Baba Jitu, an honest and deeply religious farmer who sacrificed his life rather than surrender his harvest to the unjust demands of a landlord. 
• The annual fair is held at Jhiri village, around 14 kilometres from Jammu, where devotees gather to remember his courage, honesty and compassion.

7. Tulip Festival

• Celebrated during spring in Srinagar, the Tulip Festival marks the blooming season of tulips. 
• It is organised at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, which houses more than 65 varieties of tulips and is recognised as the largest tulip garden in Kashmir. 
• The colourful display symbolises the arrival of spring and attracts visitors from across the country.

8. Shikara Festival

• Introduced in 2016, the Shikara Festival is celebrated on Dal Lake to showcase Kashmir’s traditional wooden boats known as Shikaras. 
• The highlight is the annual Shikara race, while Canoe Polo and Dragon Boat races are also organised. 
• The festival promotes Kashmir’s lake culture, water transport traditions and tourism.

9. Saffron Festival

• Celebrated annually around the beginning of November in Pampore, the Saffron Festival marks the saffron harvesting season. 
• Jammu and Kashmir is India’s only producer of premium quality saffron and Pampore is its principal cultivation centre. 
• Revived by the Government of India to encourage tourism, the eight day festival features cultural performances, folk dances, saffron exhibitions, local handicrafts and stalls selling different saffron varieties. 
• Traditional Kahva prepared with saffron remains an important part of the celebrations.

10. Gurez Festival

• Organised by the Department of Tourism, the two day Gurez Festival promotes the culture and tourism of the scenic Gurez Valley in northern Kashmir. 
• The festival highlights local cuisine, handicrafts, folk traditions and cultural performances by artists and students. 
• Adventure activities including rafting on the Kishanganga River, trekking, cycling and zorbing are organised, while the traditional folk dance of Gurez remains one of its major attractions.

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