The important fairs and festivals celebrated in the state are: Lohri,Baisakhi, Sindhu Darshan Festival, Bahu Mela, Chaitra Chaudash, Purmandal Mela, Jhiri Mela, Mansar food and Craft Mela etc.

Bahu Mela
Bahu Mela is a regional festival held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort (Jammu) every year.

Chaitra Chaudash
The festival is celebrated at Uttar Behni about 25 kms from Jammu.

Purmandal Mela
Purmandal is a village, 39 kms from Jammu city. The people of this area celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati on Shivratri. Here, a popular fair is held during the occasion of Shivratri and attracts a large crowd from the state.

Jhiri Mela
Jhiri Mela is one of the most important fairs celebrated at Kali Temple, village Jhiri, 14 kms from Jammu. The fair is held in memory of the poor farmer who had committed suicide to protest against the unfair demands of his landlord.

Milad-ud-Nabi
Milad-ud-Nabi is observed in Srinagar in the month of April or May. The prophet’s birthday is celebrated with special fervour at the Hazratbal Mosque, when its sacred relic, a lock of the Prophet’s hair is displayed to the devotees.

Mansar food and Craft Mela
This festival is organized by the state tourism department every year in the month of April during Baisakhi. This is a three day celebration of local crafts and cuisines which is participated by people of neighboring states. The fair is held at the pictursquie Mansar Lake, 62 kms from Jammu.

Hemis Festival
Of all monastery festivals celebrated in Ladakh region, the most important is the Hemis festival. It falls in late June or the first half of July, and is dedicated to Padmasambhava. Every 12 years, the gompa's greatest treasure, a huge thangka - a religious icon painted or embroidered on cloth - is ritually exhibited. The spectacular dance drama with colourful masks and costumes offers a wonderful experience of the Ladakhi culture.

Ladakh Festival
Ladakh festival is an amalgamation of various cultures of Central Asia, Tibet and Northern India. The festival organized by the state tourism department, continues for 15 days i.e. from 1st to 15th September. The main attractions are Polo, Archery, Folk dances and songs. A popular exhibition is also held during this period which includes handicrafts and various other cottage products of the region. Don’t miss this rare episode while in Jammu & Kashmir.

Thikse Festival
The annual festival of the Gelugpa sect is held in a beautiful way. The precise dates of the Buddhist monastery festivals are fixed according to Tibetan Lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated in the month of October or November.

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