Top Festivals in Kashmir
Experience the Magic of Kashmir: Celebrate Life with Kashmir Festivals
Famous Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is known for its religious harmony and celebrates numerous festivals including the vibrant Tulip Festival, the saffron-focused Saffron Festival, the Shikara Festival and religious events like the Hemis Festival for Buddhists and Eid for Muslims. Other festivals include the harvest celebrations of Lohri and Baisakhi, the cultural Sindhu Darshan Festival and significant religious events such as the Amarnath Yatra and the Kheer Bhawani Mela.
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Here is the list of Famous festivals of Kashmir
Eid-ul-fitr
Eid-ul-fitr is one of the famous festival of Kashmir celebrated on the end of holy month of Ramzan or Ramadan(the Islamic month of fasting).On this day people wear their best clothes and gather with family and friends to offer Eid prayers and exchange greetings and sweets. Children run around with excitement, collecting Eidi (gifts of money) from their elders. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy.
Eid-ul-Azha
Eid-ul-Azha is an important festival celebrated by Muslim community in Kashmir. Eid-ul-Azha is also known as Bakra Eid or the Festival of Sacrifice. This festival commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God’s command. During this festival Muslims offer special Eid prayers and sacrifice an animal, usually a goat or a sheep, to honor this act of devotion. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided among relatives, friends, and the needy people. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy, and the festive spirit lasts for two days. Eid-ul-Azha holds special place in Jammu and Kashmir festivals. This festival is one of the famous festivals in Jammu and Kashmir. Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on 17,18 June 2024 in Kashmir.
Urs festival in Jammu and Kashmir
Urs is a festival in Kashmir that is celebrated many times in a year and holds great significance in the Kashmiri Muslim community. It is celebrated to commemorate the death anniversaries of revered Sufi saints and is observed at their shrines or dargahs. During Urs, large nummber of devotees from all over the Kashmir visit these shrines to pay their respects and seek blessings. It is a huge inter-communal celebration and is celebrated many times in a year and is one of Kashmir famous festival. To know more about heritage site in Kashmir click here old city Srinagar tour
Baisakhi - The harvest festival
Baisakhi is one of the famous festivals of Jammu and Kashmir and celebrated on 14th April by the Sikh community. Baisakhi or Vaisakhi also known as the harvest festival of Jammu and Kashmir, that marks the start of the harvest season in northern India. Baisakhi holds special importance for Sikhs as it represents the birth anniversary of their tenth Sikh guru “Guru Gobind Singh ” . In Kashmir the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by Sikh community.
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To promote tourism in Kashmir the Jammu and Kashmir government began Shikara festival in 2016 and now it is celebrated every year in the month of July. The shikara festival is celebrated on the Dal Lake in Srinagar, which is famous for its beautiful shikara rides in Dal lake, or traditional wooden boats. During this festival shikaras are painted with beautiful colors and a shikara race is also organized. Other programs include Dragon Boat Race and Canoe Polo Match. The festival also features cultural programs, local handicrafts and delicious cuisine. The shikara festival provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich culture and heritage of Kashmir. check also activities in Dal lake
Srinagar is home to the Asia’s largest tulip garden, featuring over a million tulip bulbs in different colors and varieties. The Tulip festival Srinagar is celebrated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar during the month of April, when the tulips are in full bloom. In addition to the tulips, the festival also features a showcase of local handicrafts, cultural programs and delicious cuisine. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of spring in Kashmir. To enjoy the Tulip festival of Jammu and Kashmir you have to visit Tulip garden srinagar in March-April. Tulip festival Kashmir 2025 dates are 20 march to 20 April. Know more about Tulip garden and Tulip festival in Kashmir.
Lohri festival in Jammu and Kashmir
Lohri is a popular winter festival celebrated every year on 14 January primarily in Jammu and Punjab. It marks the end of peak winter season and the beginning of longer days. Lohri festival is known for its bonfire ceremonies, music, dance, and traditional food. During this festival people gather around the bonfire and offer food, sweet and popcorn to the fire as a symbol of their gratitude. Lohri festival in Jammu and Kashmir is a celebration of warmth, unity, and the joy of new beginnings. Lohri festival is also known as Makar Sankarnti.
Shivratri Festival in Kashmir
Shivratri is a popular Hindu festivals in Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir the Festival of Maha shivratri is known as Herath and is being celebrated on 18th February by Kashmir Pandit community with great enthusiasm and devotion. The shivratri festival holds great significance for the Kashmiri Pandit Community, and celebrates it to mark the wedding of “Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati”.
The Gurez Festival or jashn-e-gurez is an annual festival that takes place in the Gurez valley of Kashmir. This festival is organized by the Department of Tourism, Kashmir to promote the tourism potential of Gurez. During the festival, visitors can participate in a variety of adventurous activities such as camping, trekking, Zorbing and angling. The festival also features cultural programs, local handicrafts and local food fairs. The main attraction of this festival is the display of the local culture, which includes folk music, dance performances and traditional games. Painting and drawing competition is also organized and people witness huge participation. The above festivals are part of Kashmir famous festivals.
In addition to these festivals there are many other Jammu Kashmir festivals and Kashmir Hindu Festivals
BAHU MELA (March-April and September-October)
CHAITRE CHAUDASH (March-April)
PURMANDAL MELA (Ferbruary-March)
PURMANDAL MELA (Ferbruary-March)
JHIRI MELA (October-November)
SAFFRON FESTIVAL
PAHALGAM FESTIVAL (March-April)
Spring and summer festivals
Badamwari Spring Blossom Festival: Marks the arrival of spring with the blooming of almond trees at Badamwari Garden in Srinagar, symbolizing renewal and new beginnings.
Nowruz: Celebrated by both Muslim and Zoroastrian communities in March, this Persian New Year welcomes spring with special meals and family gatherings.
Shikara Festival: An annual event on Dal Lake that promotes tourism and showcases decorated traditional Kashmiri wooden boats, with shikara races and cultural performances in July or August.
Gurez Festival: Celebrates the culture and natural beauty of the remote Gurez Valley, featuring local handicrafts, cuisine, cultural events and adventure activities like river rafting on the Kishanganga River, usually in July or August.
Amarnath Yatra: A major Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave, where devotees venerate the natural ice lingam of Lord Shiva. This challenging trek occurs during July and August.
Kheer Bhawani Mela: Held in May at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, this festival is significant for Kashmiri Pandits, where devotees offer prayers and sweet rice pudding (kheer) to the goddess Ragnya Devi the sacred spring is said to change color on this day.
Autumn and winter festivals
Saffron Festival: This festival is held in late October or early November in the Pampore region during the saffron harvest. The festival features cultural shows, a film on saffron harvesting and tasting of saffron infused dishes such as the famous Kashmiri kehwa.
Eid: The major Islamic festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are celebrated with prayers at mosques like Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, feasting and community gatherings.
Herath (Maha Shivaratri): The most important festival for Kashmiri Pandits, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma. Celebrated in February or March, it involves fasting, night long vigils and preparation of ceremonial foods.
Lohri and Baisakhi: Popular across North India, these festivals are also celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir. Lohri in mid January marks the end of winter, while Baisakhi in April celebrates the harvest season and the Sikh New Year.
Interfaith and cultural events
Urs Festivals: Observed at various Sufi shrines on the death anniversaries of revered saints, these gatherings promote peace and brotherhood, featuring communal prayers and devotional music.
Fankar-E-Kashmir: A celebration of Kashmiri music, art and culture, providing a platform for young local artists to showcase their talent. The festival emphasizes the preservation of Kashmiri folk and Sufiana music.
Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir
In conclusion, Jammu and Kashmir is a land of rich cultural heritage and breathtaking beauty. The festivals in Kashmir offer a glimpse into the vibrant traditions and customs of its people. From the joyous celebrations of Eid to the enchanting Tulip Festival, the Jammu Kashmir festivals are a true reflection of the region’s diverse and colorful culture. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, experiencing the Kashmir festivals is a must-do for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the unique charm of this beautiful region. I hope you enjoyed the details about the main festival in Kashmir.
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