Customs & Traditions of Kashmir Valley
Facts about Kashmir
The culture of Jammu and Kashmir is a comprehensive mingling of customs and practices of its three distinct regions, Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. Apart from its demographical variations, specific cultural diversions of its elements are what make the culture of Jammu and Kashmir remarkable. Music, dance, cuisine, lifestyle, festivals all these only highlight the diversities prevalent in these provinces.
Unity is restored when a common thread of cultural tradition binds them together thus making it a part of Jammu and Kashmir as a whole. Culture of Jammu and Kashmir is therefore an interesting reflection of color, zest, harmony and concord which makes Jammu and Kashmir to stand apart with its distinct features of age old tradition and deep ethnicity.
Music and Dance
Jammu & Kashmir has a rich tradition of music, dance and drama. The folk music and dance of the state is the lifeline of the Kashmiris. There are various dance forms performed according to the occasion – various seasons, harvest, weddings and religious festivals. One of the popular dance forms of the state is the Mask Dance, performed during the Hemis festival in Ladakh by the Lamas of the Hemis monastery. The dancers, representing divine or mythological figures, wear colourful brocade robes and heavy masks as they perform ceremonial dances around the monastery courtyard.
Marriage ceremonies in the state are marked by the Hafiza dance where young Kashmiri boys celebrate the harvest season with Bacha Nagma dance. Other famous folk dances of Jammu and Kashmir are Ruf, Wuegi-Nachun, Roul and Dogri. Among folk music, the most famous is the Rabab and the common musical instruments are Dukra, Sitar and Nagara.
As far as forms of music in Kashmir is concerned there are three distinct forms, viz. Sufi, Ghazals and Choral Music. Wanawun is another form of music that is sung and played during wedding ceremonies in Kashmir.
Festivals
The paradise on earth, Jammu and Kashmir is home to a rich cultural heritage, besides a panoramic landscape that leaves many a visitor spellbound. This culture and tradition is reflected in the several fairs and festivals in Jammu and Kashmir that are widely celebrated across the state with much zeal and gaiety. We at Indian Holiday take you on tours to Jammu and Kashmir that provide you with an exclusive opportunity to be a part of these memorable celebrations.
Almost all the major Hindu festivals in India are celebrated with equal enthusiasm in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Some of such prominent fairs and festivals in Jammu and Kashmir include Lohri, Holi, Navratri, Baisakhi or New Year Day, Guru Ravi Das’s Birthday, Tihar and Samkrant. People from across Jammu and Kashmir gather in large numbers during the time of these festivals. Interestingly, all Hindu, Muslim or Sikh fairs and festivals are religiously observed in the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir.
| Fairs and Festivals in Jammu and Kashmir | |
| Amarnath Yatra Kashmir | Bahu Mela Jammu |
| Baisakhi Festival Jammu | Chaitre Chandesh Jammu |
| Jhiri Mela Jammu | Kheer Bhawani Srinagar |
| Lohri Festival Jammu | Mansar Food and Craft Mela |
| Purmandal Mela Jammu | Winter Sports Kashmir |
| Fairs and Festivals in Leh Ladakh | |
| Chemrey Angchok | Dak Thok Tsechu |
| Dosmochey Festival Leh | Galdan Namchot |
| Hemis Festival Leh Ladakh | KarshaGustor Zanskar |
| Korzok Gustor | Losar Celebrations |
| Matho Nagrang | Ph-Yang Tsedup |
| Sant Naro Nasjal | Shachukul Gustor |
| Sindhu Darshan Leh | Spitok Gutor Zanskar |
| Stok Guru Tsechu | The Ladakh Festival |
| Thiksay Gustor Festival | Yuru Kabgyat Festiva |
Cuisine
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is not just a paradise for the tourist but also for the lovers of good food. The state offers a variety of exotic recipes bearing a distinct seal of the state. Secret behind the mind-blowing cuisine of the state lies in the books of history which speaks of the invasion of Kashmir by Timur in the 15 th century AD. This resulted in the migration of hundreds of skilled cooks from Samarkand to cater to the royal tongue. The descendants of these cooks gifted the state the unsurpassable tradition of Wazwan, the delectable aromatic banquet of Kashmir. Wazwan consists of 36 course meal, essentially, meat based prepared by wazas (cooks) under the supervision of Vasta Waza, the master chef.
Various tribes and sections of society have added their own flavor to Kashmiri food. The style of preparation of Kashmiri Brahmins or Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims are radically different. Brahmins use generous quantities of curd along with asafetida and ginger in their food, excluding egg, onions and garlic. Muslims use onions, garlic and egg liberally in their food preparations. Saffron and Kashmiri chilies are common spices in the cuisine of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meat - Mutton (specially), fish and chicken are essential ingredients in Kashmiri food. Meat is prepared in a number of ways and is usually mixed with vegetables and spices such as cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, cloves and so on. The Brahmins and Muslims in Kashmir prepare similar meat dishes giving their own unique twist to them. Some of the popular Kashmiri meat preparations are:
Potato, cottage cheese and a variety of vegetables are used to make interesting combinations of vegetarian Kashmiri food preparations. Both fresh and dried vegetables are used for cooking. These are some delicious vegetarian dishes from Jammu and Kashmir:
Rice is a staple diet in Kashmir. It is grown in the lake shores and river banks. Popular rice preparations of Kashmir are:
Kulcha is a popular bread made of wheat eaten in Kashmir.
Kashmiri desserts include gulab jamun, sevaiyaan, phirni and barfi among others.
Beverages are an integral part of Kashmiri culture and hospitality. Kashmiris welcome their guests with hot sheer tea and kahwah. They are made in special kettles known as samovars.
You can relish the traditional cuisine when you tour Jammu and Kashmir. IndianHoliday.com has all the tour details for this north Indian state.
Lifestyle
Jammu and Kashmir is one of those states that has become famous for its many sided culture. The three regions namely Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have different people with their diverse culture and traditions. Jammu is dominated by Hindu population, Kashmir has major Muslim population and in Ladakh, most people follow Buddhism. But one thing that is common to people all regions is the love, affection, and tolerance they have for each other. Even tourists are considered as a part of the family. If you ask a locale about a place to stay, you will probably end up enjoying your vacation in his home, and if you like something worn by a locale and ask him where he bought it from, he will probably offer the same thing to you. That is how simple people of Jammu and Kashmir are, far away from artificial feelings, and deception of life. The lifestyle of people is totally different from that of adjoining states. The food they eat, the dresses they wear, the language they speak is all different and unique. Though Ladakh region shows a strong resemblance to Tibet in all things.
Dress of Men and Women in Jammu and Kashmir
The female section in Jammu and Kashmir attire themselves with beautiful jeweler like earrings, necklaces, nose rings, bangles, earrings and colorful dresses where the men section feel comfortable in the ethnic wear which is skullcaps, churidar, pyjamas, shalwars, and gurgabi. Phiran is a woolen attire decorated with the colorful patches of floral motifs and lot of embroidery work done on it. The dress code of the people of Jammu and Kashmir reflects the true picture of their lifestyle and culture. It also proves that India is stll carrying the legacy of its culture and cultural values.
The female section in Jammu and Kashmir attire themselves with beautiful jeweler like earrings, necklaces, nose rings, bangles, earrings and colorful dresses where the men section feel comfortable in the ethnic wear which is skullcaps, churidar, pyjamas, shalwars, and gurgabi. Phiran is a woolen attire decorated with the colorful patches of floral motifs and lot of embroidery work done on it. The dress code of the people of Jammu and Kashmir reflects the true picture of their lifestyle and culture. It also proves that India is stll carrying the legacy of its culture and cultural values.
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