Every year, Pakistan celebrates a large number of festivals, each with its own significance, characteristics, and joy. They receive a warm greeting with music, dance, fireworks, and food because they are an essential component of society. In Pakistan, both Religious and cultural holidays are observed.
FESTIVALS OF PUNJAB
Islamic festivals
Shab-e-Barat
The eighth month of the Islamic calendar, Shab-e-barat, begins at the middle of Shaban. According to legend, men’s fates for the upcoming year are decided on this night, and Allah is able to pardon sinners. Believers say a particular prayer for the prosperity and harmony of the whole Muslim Ummah as well as for the unity, prosperity, security, and restoration of peace in the country.
Mosques in places like Lahore are decorated to commemorate the event, and plans are made for food and refreshments to aid the attendees. To pray for the souls of the dead, worshippers visit cemeteries.
Eid-ul-Fitr
The ninth Islamic lunar month of Ramadan is when Muslims observe fast. Muslims hold group prayers at mosques on this day to show their joy and relief at having completed a month of fasting. There are festive foods on the menu.
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, an Islamic holiday, is celebrated on the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday ( PBUH). In Rabi-ul-Awal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, this celebration is held. Lahore celebrates the holiday with a lot of parades. Many tens of thousands of people congregate at the Minaret-Pakistan in Lahore between the eleventh and twelfth nights of Rabi-ul-Awwal in the Islamic calendar. Pakistan made the event a public holiday in 1949.
Eid ul-Adha
The Eid-ul-Azha feast honours Prophet Abraham’s readiness to offer his son Ismail as a sacrifice at Allah’s direction. God gave Abraham a goat in place of Ismail as a recompense. Muslims travel to Mecca for the Hajj during this time. Depending on their level of income, Muslims will sacrifice a variety of animals, including cows, goats, sheep, and camels. Youngsters demonstrate their appreciation for gifts and Eidi (cash) from parents and other relatives as they joyfully and enthusiastically celebrate Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr.
Festivals at Shrines
Mela Chiraghan
Every year, a three-day event called Mela Chiraghan is held to commemorate Shah Hussain’s urs (death anniversary), a saint and Punjabi Sufi poet who lived in Lahore in the 16th century. Both Shia and Sunni Muslims take part in rites associated with remembering Muharram. The occasion honours the Battle of Karbala, which took place in Karbala and resulted in the death of Imam Husayn ibne Ali, the holy prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson, by the forces of the second Umayyad Caliph Yazid. Hussein ibne Ali’s family members who were accompanying him were killed or humiliated.
The annual season of mourning, which lasts from the first of Muharram to the twentieth of Safar with Ashura as its main day, commemorates this incident, and it is this season that defines the identity of the Shia community. Different. Tazia, Alam, and Zuljinnah’s funeral procession are held in Punjab. The ceremony will take place in the Shah Hussain’s Shrine in Baghbanpura, Pakistan, which is on the outskirts of Lahore and close to the Shalimar Gardens.
Baha-ud-Din Zakariya
Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya, also known as Bahawal Haq, was born in the late twelfth century at Kot Aror, close to Multan. They remember Baha-ud-Din Zakariya’s passing on the 27th day of Safar, the second month of the Islamic calendar.
Daata Gunj Baksh
A Sufi by the name of Abul Hassan Ali Ibne Usman al-Jullabi al-Hajveri al-Ghaznawi lived in the 11th century. He was born in 990 close to Ghazni, in modern-day Afghanistan, and passed away in Lahore in 1072, both during the Ghaznavid Empire. Ali Hajvari is well-known for his tomb in Lahore, which is encircled by a sizable marble courtyard, a mosque, and other buildings. It is one of the most visited and well-known in Pakistan and the neighbouring nations of all the shrines in this city. His Urs occurs on the nineteenth day of the Islamic month of Safar.
Sakhi Sarwar urs
Sakhi Sarwar, whose real name was Syed Ahmad Sultan, was a Punjabi Sufi saint who lived in the 12th century. Several fairs are held in Punjab. The Nigaz temple hosts a week-long Baisakhi fair in April.
Baba Farid urs
The thirteenth century was the time of the saint Shaikh Farid. The Urs (death anniversary) of Baba Farida (the first month of the Muslim calendar) is honoured on the Muharram holiday. Bahisht Darwaza is only only opened once a year, during the Urs fair. To pay their respects, numerous visitors from all across the nation and the world arrive. The Bahishti Darwaza’s doors are made of silver with gold leaves and floral patterns inlaid. This “Gate” only opens for ten days during the month of Muharram, from nightfall to dawn, and is always closed.
Urs of Waris Shah
Waris Shah, a saint and poet from Punjab, holds his urs in Jandiala Sher Khan. The Punjabi calendar’s Sawan month, which runs from 9 September to 11 November, is when the Urs is observed. The Punjabi government just decided to honour the urs in September. The epic love ballad Heer, composed by the saint, is well known.
Mian Mir fairs
Mian Mir, who spent his whole sixty-year life in Lahore, passed away there in 1045 AH (1635 AD) at the late age of 88. In addition to the fair on his anniversary, other fairs are hosted in his mausoleum over the two months of the rainy season.
Cultural Festivals
National Horse and Cattle Show
Lahore hosts the yearly National Horse and Cattle Show.. In addition to competition among cow breeders for the best milk-producing animals, the show includes tattooing, tent-standing, horse dancing, dog racing, polo, equestrian show jumping and exhibitions of industrial and agricultural items.
Pakistan Day
In Lahore, there is an annual National Horse and Cattle Show. The show features tattooing, tent-standing, horse dance, dog racing, polo, equestrian show jumping, as well as competitions amongst cow breeders for the best milk-producing animals. It also has demonstrations of industrial and agricultural products.
The National Horse and Cattle Show is held annually in Lahore. The show includes tattooing, tent-standing, dog racing, polo, horse dancing, equestrian show jumping, product presentations, competitions amongst cow breeders for the best milk-producing cows, and more.
Sindhi Festivals
Sindhis are a socio-ethnic group of people who speak Sindhi and are from Sindh, which is now a province of Pakistan. In Pakistan nowadays, the majority of Sindhis are Muslims, although there are also smaller minorities of Hindus, Christians, etc. Many Indian Muslims (Muhajirs) immigrated to Pakistan following the partition of India in 1947 and settled in the wealthy Sindh province. Minority have full religious freedom to celebrate their religious holidays.
Muslim Festivals
Eid Ul Fitr
The first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the month of Ramadhan, is when Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr, which means the rejoicing at the conclusion of the days of fasting. The largest Muslim holiday is Eid Ul Fitar, often known as the fast-breaking celebration. All Muslims dress to the nines and gather in mosques, eidgahs, or other public places to line up for prayer. This prayer is performed between the early morning and noon prayers. At Eid, unique delicacies are made. Moreover, “Sevviyan” and “Sheer korma,” which are boiled in milk with raisins and almonds, are always made. Both the timing of the holiday and its religious connotations are noteworthy.
Eid Ul Adha
After Hajj, a festival of sacrifice known as Bakr- Eid begins, during which domestic animals like as goats, lambs, cows, and camels, among others, are sacrificed. It is typically observed on the tenth day of Duhl Hajja, when Muslims dress in new clothing with great fervour. They rise early, offer prayers, and begin the day with a special breakfast called Sheer Korma. Following breakfast, the animal is killed, and the meat is given to friends, family, and the less fortunate while the family enjoys their time together. Muslims who can travel to Mecca for the Haj pilgrimage on this occasion. On this day, charity gifts are offered to the ill, the hungry, and the destitute.
Milad Ul Nabi
The Muslim community around the world celebrates the holiday of Milad-ul-Nabi, also known as “Bara Warafat,” with fervour and claptrap. On the twelfth day of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, it honours Hazrat Muhammad’s birth. The holy Qur’an is recited, religious gatherings are held in the mosque, and the Prophet’s teachings are reiterated on the day of Milad. The followers do namaz and spend their time reading the holy Qur’an while keeping a nightly vigil. They host a feast and invite family and friends.
Festivals of Minorities
Hinduism
Because of a yearning for beauty and spirituality, the Hindu faith observes a number of festivals each year with a range of customs. The customs of Hindu holidays form the cornerstone of Hindu culture in India. People will uphold this tradition with the same fervour and enthusiasm for years to come. Here is a list of some of the most important Hindu holidays observed in India.
Hinduism celebrates a variety of festivals and fasts, but each one, no matter how great or tiny, has a profound meaning. Hindu holidays are customarily commemorated in a variety of ways that reflect the richness of its culture. Holi, Dussehra, Rama Navami, Raksha Bandhana, Janmashtami, and Navaratri are a few significant Hindu holidays. There are also a number of lesser-known holidays like Diwali and Lakshmi Puja.
Diwali
Muharram is a ten-day festival of mourning observed in the first month of the Hijri year to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the Holy Prophet’s grandson. It is a type of ceremony where thanks is expressed to the dead souls who heroically struggled to uphold their faith. Muslims observe a fast, offer prayers, recite fatwas, and sing elegies to the martyrs. On the last day, Tajias are paraded through the streets with piper players, brass bands, and bamboo imitation tombs.
Pongal
Pongal is a harvest celebration that honours the rain god Indra and the sun god Indra. It is a time of giving thanks for the plentiful paddy crop and marks the start of the sun’s northward tilt. Every home is cleaned and white-washed before Pongal, and the first day is dedicated to honouring Bhogi. On the second day, rice paste is used to construct rangoli, and sakkarai pongal is offered to the sun deity. On the last day, kanya pongal, different rice and curd preparations are spread out on banana leaves to attract insects, birds, and squirrels.
Dussehra
Dassera or Dussehra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is also known as Vijayadashmi due to King Rama killing Ravana and Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura. On the last day, three giant paper and bamboo effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkarna are set on fire.
Ram Navami
Rama Navami is a prominent Hindu event celebrated with worshipping Shiva and special rites.
Makara Sankranti
Rama Navami is a prominent Hindu event celebrated with worshipping Shiva and special rites.
Holi
Holi is an important and inspirational festival in India, celebrated on Duwadashi and Phalgun Purnima. It celebrates joy, festivity, and the abandonment of taboos and restrictions to experience true freedom.
Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated on the thirteenth day of the waning moon fortnight in the month of Phalgun. Hymns honouring Lord Shiva are sung, and devotees perform japa, meditate, and recite the shivmahima sttrotra. If invoked with the appropriate degree of devotion, one is said to be purified of all sins. Thandai is a mixture of cannabis, almonds, and milk, and the five-syllable Shiv mantra “om namashivya” bestows special favour on believers.
Navratri
During the nine-day Navratri festival, we worship the goddess of shakti. The beginnings of spring and autumn represent two significant climatic and solar impact intersections, and these seasons are treasured as holy occasions for worshipping the Holy Mother. On the first three nights, it is advised that you worship the destructive aspect of the goddess Durga; for the next three nights, you should worship the protecting aspect of Lakshmi; and for the last three nights, you should worship the knowledge-related aspect of the goddess Saraswathi.
Christianity
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated by Christians all over the world with great jubilation and fervour, commemorating the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth on December 25. Celebrations start on Christmas Eve with carol singing and visits from friends and family, followed by Midnight Mass and church bells ringing. Christians decorate their homes with Christmas trees, give and receive cards, and buy decorative goods. The Christmas star has a unique quality associated with the festive spirit, revealed in the myth surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday that honours the death on the cross of Jesus Christ. It is observed on the Friday prior to Easter and is known as Black Friday due to the altar and clergy vestments in the Western Church. It consists of prayers, scripture readings, sermons, meditation sessions, and gospel readings. A communion ceremony is held at midnight and a piece of wood in the shape of a cross is kept in many churches. Christians express their love, faith, and commitment to Jesus Christ by grieving and praying.
Easter
Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with feasts, sweets, and processions. The biggest crowd gathers in Panjim when a massive wooden cross is carried through the streets.
Holy Week
Holy Week is a week of remembrance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, marked by Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Lent
Lent is a 6.5-week period of fasting and discipline, and the Christian church holds unique services to discuss religion and its tenets.
Zoroastrianism (Parsiism)
Zoroastrianism is the first universal and monotheistic religion, with 140,000 adherents. It observes feasts and festivals, holds special services, and intercalates according to Gregorian calendar rules.
Gahambars
Gahambar is a six-day festival celebrated by the Parsi community to honour the contributions of the six phases of the planet. It is associated with a Ghambara, a place where individuals can prepare and offer food to others. The number seven is revered in Zoroastrian astrology as it signifies both God and God’s six archangels.
Khordad Sal
Khordad Sal is a celebration honouring Zoroaster’s birth on the sixth day of Farvardin, the Parsi month. It includes a temple-based prayer service, Jashan, and a sumptuous meal for close friends, family members, and the less fortunate.
Zarthost No Deeso
Zarthost No Deeso is a Zoroastrian festival commemorating the prophet Zarathushtra’s death in a temple of fire.
Jamshed Navroz
Navro is a significant occasion for the Parsis, marking the beginning of the spring equinox and the beginning of a new year. Before the party, the house is cleaned, the doors and windows are painted, and the floors and furniture are polished. Everyone goes to the fire temple and offers a sandalwood stick to the sacred fire. Following prayers, greetings include hugs and the “Sa Mubarak” salutation. Each visitor is given a tiny treat in addition to a glass of faulda.
Festivals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Buzkashi is a Festival
The Pashtun people are familiar with and cherish the Buzkashi celebration. The players in this game switch between two teams while mounted. The matches in this game might last for days at a time, despite the fact that contests have time constraints. In a number of other Central Asian nations, Buzkashi is also referred to as Kokpar. Similar to polo, the horse-based sport of bukkahsi is played on the ground. Polo is played with a ball on the ground that players must move towards the goal, and matches only last an hour, in contrast to the other two sports. The headless goat-based traditional Buzkashi game can go on for days.
Kamal Summer Festival
Kamal or Swat The gorgeous Kalam and Mahodand valley in Swat, Pakistan, which is 100 kilometres away, hosts the summer festival every year. It is a cultural and recreational event. The festival’s layout is comparable to that of the Shandur Polo Festival. Despite the fact that it is hot and humid in the plains of Pakistan, Kalam offers tourists refreshing temperatures. The Pakistan Army and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department jointly organise the celebration. Sports, cultural, and recreational events are planned during the entire week. There are numerous events scheduled during the festival’s week-long run. At the event, you can take part in pursuits including paragliding, a craft market, a Jeep race, cycling, canoeing, cultural presentations, and musical performances. Local dances, horse dances, vintage Khattak dances, and Chitral dances are also performed at the festival.
Kalam Festival, Kalam mela or Swat summer Festival
It is a yearly cultural and recreational event that takes place 100 kilometres from Swat, Pakistan, amid the lovely valleys of Kalam and Mahodand. The festival’s environment is comparable to that of the Shandur Polo Festival. Tourists like the cool environment in Kalam and the tent community of Mahudand on days when the Pakistani plains are hot and humid. The Pakistan Army and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department collaborate to put on the festival. There are scheduled activities for sports, culture, and recreation every day of the week.
Eid ul Fitr Festival
The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan ends on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, commonly known as Eid Al-Fitr. In Pakistan, a central moon-sighting institution is given the right to declare Eid after collecting and analysing data from residents across the country. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announces the crescent sighting for Eid ul Fitr.
Eid ul Azha Festival
Muslims all throughout the world remember the holy prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at Allah’s command on Eid ul Azha. Allah Almighty replaced Ismail with a goat as recompense. Muslims travel to Mecca during this time. According to their level of income, Muslims sacrifice a range of animals, including cows, goats, sheep, and camels.
Kalam Summer Festival
Throughout the months of July or August, the annual Kalam Festival, Kalam Mela, or Swat Summer Festival is held in the gorgeous Kalam and Mahodand valley, 100 kilometres from the city of Swat, Pakistan. The layout of the festival is similar to that of the Shandur Polo Festival. On days when the Pakistani plains are hot and muggy, tourists can take advantage of the coolness of Kalam and Mahudand, a community made of tents. The festival is being organised by the Pakistan Army and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Agency. Events for sports, culture, and recreation are scheduled throughout the week.
Peshawar Summer Festival
The district administration and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation jointly organise the festival (TCKP). As Peshawar has experienced hardship since the dawn of time, these festivities are held to lift the spirits of the residents.
Spring Festival
The arrival of spring is another occasion that is marked in the province. In Kalasha culture, the event is called as Joshi, or Spring Festival. It takes place in May to usher in spring in the Chitral Hills. Three days are dedicated to the festivities. The festival begins as soon as the tribe elders announce the dates. Little boys and girls gather yellow flowers and walnut branches for the occasion to decorate their homes and neighbourhood walls. Tribal members take part in a rite called “chirik pipi” on the first day of the event, sharing and ingesting milk.
Uchaw Festival
The August Thanksgiving holiday is another one that is observed. In Chitral, it is referred to as Uchaw and is an important occasion. The celebration is planned in anticipation of robust wheat crops.
Festival of Pul
The Pul festival, another local celebration, takes place in Birir’s Kalasha Valley in October. The people of Kalasha participate in other festivities, including as the winter festival of Biramor. Chawmos, a religious festival that lasts the longest of all the holidays in the region, is another prominent event celebrated by the tribe. They commemorate it by dancing, singing, and making sacrifices for a total of two weeks. The event, which takes place around the end of the year, honours the toil, labour in the fields, and harvest. It is regarded as the last holiday of the year.
Malam Jabba Skiing Festival
Every year, Malam Jabba, a town in the tranquil Swat Valley in the Hindu Kush Mountains, hosts the Malam Jabba Snow Festival. Tourists may enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains as well as various forms of skiing, snowboarding, curling, skating and ice hockey in this region. Malam Jabba Ski Resort, the original ski resort in Pakistan, has a renowned 800 m ski slope and is located at an elevation of 808 metres (9,199 ft). Skiers and visitors from all over the world assemble throughout the snowy season to partake in this exhilarating activity.
The Huner Mela South Waziristan
It is important to emphasise to the outside world the South Waziristan region’s enormous cultural diversity and richness. The area is largely mountainous and borders Afghanistan. With Waziri cultural events and exhibitions, including native crafts and artefacts, Waziri attire, regional food, dry fruits, musical performances, local games, etc., the festival provides a modest image of the area.
The Phool Festival, Kalash
In the isolated Birir Valley, from October 8 to 15, a colourful two-day celebration known as the Phool or Fall Festival of Kalash takes place every year. Accurate information affects both the timing of grain harvest and the transfer of animals from summer pastures. The celebration honours the walnut and grape harvests. The Kalash civilization relies on grapes, which are grown on trees in sheltered areas, to produce wine. A sacred tree is chosen across the valley on a particular day, and this is reason for joy and celebration. The two-day festival’s participants sing and do traditional dances in their native tongues.
Festivals Of Gilgit Baltistan
There are three primarily two categories of festivals in Gilgit Baltistan:
Religious Festivals
• Eid-e-Ghadir
• Edi-ul-Fitr
• Eid-ul-Azha
• Eid Milad-un-Nabi
Cultural Festivals
Silk Route Festival
It is seen in the city of Nagar and is referred to as a cultural experience on the top of the world. To demonstrate to inquiring eyes the energy that emanates from the richness of the Baltistani region and its people, all the spectacles of Baltic art and culture are gathered in one location. The Baltic peoples’ passion of polo, their culture, their crafts, folk dances and music, food, and artisans showcasing their work are all combined on stage in this production.
Navroz Festival
The Iranian New Year begins on Navroz, which is also spelt Nawroz. Navroz has a local shape and is popular all throughout the world while having its roots in ancient Persia. Every year on March 21, it is customarily observed in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Shandoor Polo Festival
Shandoor Polo Festival is one of the most important festivals of Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan. Held at Shandoor Top from July 7 to 9 every year; the plateau in the Shandoor Pass is called the “roof of the world” and connects Gilgit-Barr. Ghizer district in Stan and Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The teams participating in the polo championship are from different regions of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Babusar Polo Festival
The Balti Raja of Skard, Ali Sher Khan Anchan, who also constructed the Shandoor Polo Stadium, brought polo to Shandoor. It was the world’s tallest polo stadium up until last year, standing at 12,263 feet. This distinction is still present in Babusar, which is still in Pakistan and is located at a height of about 13,599 feet. This event has been conducted annually since 1936, and visitors from all across the nation can take advantage of this special opportunity. Fundamentally, Shandoor Polo is a legendary sport that draws tourists from around the world practically every year. Also, there is dancing, camping, and live folk music.
Harvesting Festival
Every year, when the crops planted months earlier are ready to be harvested, there is a harvest festival. To thank Allah Almighty for His bounty, the locals celebrate the harvest season. The farmers loved dancing to live music, and they all shared their delight with one another through food and prayers.
Festival of Azad Jammu Kashir
With good reason, Kashmir is referred to as the paradise on Earth. Its picturesque valley vistas and lush surroundings are part of what give it its charm, but its festivals give the state’s beauty a special touch. Individuals make an effort to put aside any existing tensions within their communities in order to peacefully celebrate the holidays. This beautifully captures the splendour of this sacred land.
More festivals are observed in India than in any other nation in the globe. Every festival is also observed with great fervour, exquisite dining, and spectacular revelry. This land is considered holy, sacred, and culturally diverse since each religion celebrates one hundred festivals, and each state celebrates another one hundred. You should be aware of the following significant Jammu and Kashmiri festivals:
Urs
On the final day of a month-long fasting period known as Ramadan or Ramzan, Eid Ul Fitr is observed. On this day, namaz is offered six times, and a feast is eaten to break the fast. This calm holiday is completed with the exchange of sweets, donning new clothes, meeting relatives, and exchanging wishes. Bakra or Eid ul Azha Every Muslim household sacrifices a goat, camel, or sheep during the second half of the year to commemorate Eid. Their Kurbani or Sacrifice concept is where it got its start. Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs all take part in Kashmir’s annual celebration known as the Urs or Ziarats. It is a significant intercommunal holiday that is observed frequently throughout the year. Essentially, Meesha Sahib, Batamol Sahib, and Bahauddin’s death anniversaries are the days on which this holiday is observed. On the day of the Urs celebrations, severe weather is frequently encountered, yet members of all religions nevertheless hold a large celebration.
Eid ul Azha and Eid ul Fitr
In Kashmir, the two most significant Muslim holidays are observed in full extravagance. Due to Kashmir’s Muslim population, there is a significant turnout during Muslim celebrations. Although though the celebration of Eid is widely observed throughout the world and in the rest of India, Kashmir’s charm makes it a thrill to celebrate.
Hemis Festival
The largest and wealthiest monastery in Kashmir, Hemis Gompa is situated in Leh, where Hemis is celebrated with much fanfare. A state holiday has been declared for today. It is observed to mark Padmasambhava’s birth anniversary, who is regarded as the creator of Tibetan Buddhism. The festivities are held in this monastery’s spacious courtyard for two days during the fifth month of the year, which is also known as the Tibetan lunar month. Both women and men dress in elaborate traditional garb, and both sexes accessorise with heavy jewellery.
Tulip Festival
Throughout Kashmir, there are hundreds of tulip gardens, and in the spring, tulips are in full bloom. Srinagar hosts the enormous Tulip Festival each year and has the largest Tulip Garden in Asia. The event takes pride in the range of tulips that have grown here. The sight of the tulips in any of these gardens throughout the spring is magnificent and enchanting, especially for someone who is not from Kashmir. The celebration includes a display of regional handicrafts, delectable food, cultural events, and of course, tulips!
Shikara Festival
Shikara, the lifeblood and distinctive feature of the Dal Lake in Kashmir, must be honoured once a year. The Kashmiri government started this festival in 2016 to boost tourism. Shikaras are artistically painted and attired for the event. Shikaras compete in canoe polo matches, dragon boat races, and shikara races. There are also other cultural events planned that will offer you a taste of Kashmiri culture. The event occurs in either July or August.
Gurez Festival
Gurez, a serene valley in the Himalayas at an altitude of about 8,000 feet, is situated 123 miles from Srinagar, the country’s capital. Due to its location along the historic Silk Road, the lovely valley offers a variety of gorgeous views. The Neelum River, which flows through the Gurez valley, is the ideal location for river rafting. Gurez residents organise an annual festival when they display their handicrafts, cuisines, and culture.
Everyone congregates for the festival, which also offers fun events like cycling, zorbing, river rafting, and trekking. Many competitions, including those for painting and sketching, draw a large number of participants. It’s also fun to check out various musical performances that highlight Kashmiri culture. The Gurez Festival takes place in the glimmering Gurez Valley sometime in July or August.
Lohri
The Lohri ceremony, which honours the crop harvest, marks the end of the coldest part of the year each year on January 13. A festival is held in January to commemorate the sugarcane crop’s harvest. They dance, sing and build a campfire while enjoying winter treats made of corn, peanuts, sesame and jaggery. It is a well-liked holiday in Jammu and Punjab.
On the world map, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is extremely noticeable. Although its beautiful beauty and political conflicts may be the first things to mention, its celebrations are just as appealing. In India, a festival entails dancing, pomp and circumstance, fasting, opulent attire, delectables, hospitality, and much more. Kashmiris are a delight to observe when it comes to festival celebration and feasting, whether it be for a Hindu, Muslim, or Buddhist holiday.
Festival of Balochistan
The largest province in Pakistan is called Balochistan, and it is situated in the country’s southwest. With its rocky mountains, wide deserts, and extensive coastline along the Arabian Sea, it is a region of outstanding natural beauty. The Baloch, Pashtuns, Brahuis, and Hazaras are just a few of the many ethnic and linguistic groups that call Balochistan home.
Balochistan is one of Pakistan’s most neglected and underdeveloped provinces despite having a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural surroundings. The people of Balochistan, however, are renowned for their fortitude and pride in their cultural history. The province has a strong cultural and historical heritage, and its celebrations and customs capture its distinctive personality and diversity.
Baloch Culture Day
One of the most important festivals in Balochistan is Baloch Culture Day, which is celebrated on March 2nd each year. The event strives to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the Baloch people while disseminating awareness of Baloch customs and traditions. As part of the day’s festivities, they perform folk dances, dress in traditional Balochi garb, and put on cultural performances.
Eid-ul-Fitr
A notable festival in Balochistan is Eid-ul-Fitr, which is held at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The festival, which is a significant occasion for Muslims in Balochistan and throughout Pakistan, is a time for celebration with loved ones.
Eid-ul-Adha
Other holidays celebrated in Balochistan include Eid-ul-Adha, Pakistan Day, Independence Day, and Jashn-e-Baharan, a spring festival that heralds the arrival of spring. Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan also observe Mela Chiraghan, a festival of lights, to mark the anniversary of the Sufi saint Shah Hussain’s demise.
Balochistan’s festivals highlight the region’s rich cultural heritage and unique personality. The opportunity to come together, enjoy one another’s distinctive cultural customs, and promote racial and social harmony is provided by these events. They are an essential tool for preserving the cultural heritage of the Baloch people and fostering the development of the province.
To sum up, Balochistan is a culturally diverse region with a significant historical and cultural history. With the festivals and customs that reflect the city’s distinctive character and variety, people from all communities have the opportunity to come together and celebrate their common cultural history. The celebration of these festivals promotes social harmony and national unity and is an essential strategy for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Baloch people.
Final Thoughts
Festivals are crucial for fostering national unity and recognising variety. The following are some ways that festivals might honour a nation’s variety and unity:
Exposing varied cultures: Festivals offer a chance to show off the variety of civilizations present in a nation. Festivals encourage awareness of and appreciation for various cultural traditions and practises by commemorating them.
Promoting Cross-cultural Exchange: Festivals give people from many cultural backgrounds a place to meet and exchange traditions and customs. This promotes a deeper regard and knowledge of one another’s cultures.
Fostering National Identity: By uniting people around a common cultural legacy, festivals may also foster a feeling of national identity and unity. People can develop a sense of pride in their nation and its culture by participating in national holidays and celebrations.
Promoting Social Harmony: By bringing individuals from many communities together in an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie, festivals can foster social harmony. This can facilitate stronger social bonding and ease societal conflicts.
Fostering Tolerance: Festivals can also foster respect for and tolerance of various cultures and beliefs. Festivals can aid in the reduction of prejudice and discrimination by highlighting diversity and encouraging understanding.
To sum up, Balochistan is a culturally diverse region with a significant historical and cultural history. With the festivals and customs that reflect the city’s distinctive character and variety, people from all communities have the opportunity to come together and celebrate their common cultural history. The celebration of these festivals promotes social harmony and national unity and is an essential strategy for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Baloch people.
