Government and bank holidays mark a nation's historical, cultural, and religious significance and influence public and economic sectors. Understanding the role and importance of these holidays helps you set your plan and gain valuable insights into the culture.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Jammu and Kashmir's detailed holiday structure and plan your trip accordingly in a hassle-free manner in 2024.

Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory of India in the northern region. It is known for its eye-catching landscapes, rich heritage, diversified culture, traditional customs, and communal harmony.

Jammu and Kashmir encompass lush greenery, mighty rivers, and rich flora and fauna. The state observes various important festivals and dates that mark the tapestry of the state's vibrant culture.

1. Lohri (14th Jan 2024): Lohri marks the end of winter solstice, i.e., the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. It is primarily celebrated in the Jammu region. People gather together and offer prayers; bonfires are lit, singing and dancing are conducted, and feasting like popcorn and peanuts are shared.
2. Basant Panchami (14th Feb 2024): Basant Panchami is a festival of harmony and is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and the arts. It is celebrated in February to mark the arrival of the spring season.
3. Shivratri (8th-9th Mar 2024): Often termed Maha Shivratri, this festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees visit temples, including the Amarnath Cave Shrine, to offer prayers and seek blessings. Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Tulip Festival (19th Mar-20th Apr 2024): The Tulip Festival is held in the northern hemisphere's spring season in April in Srinagar. The festival embraces and features the tulip flower gardens that attract tourists worldwide.
5. Eid-ul-Fitr (10th-11th Apr 2024): Eid-ul-Fitr is an Islamic festival marked by prayers, feasting, and almsgiving to the poor. It marks the end of sacred Ramadan.
6. Baisakhi (13th Apr 2024): Baisakhi is a Sikh new year celebrated in April; people offer prayer as this day is marked as a founding of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The festival features religious music and traditional dance performances of the Sikh community.
7. Eid-ul-Adha (16th-17th Jun 2024): Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakrid, is celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham), who sacrificed his son to mark as an act of obedience to God. The festival features sacred prayers to God, the sacrifice of animals, and the sharing of meat with the family and needy ones.
8. Hemis Festival (16th-17th Jun 2024): Hemis is a Tibetan Buddhist festival dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), regarded as the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. People gather around to celebrate it with multi-coloured masked dance and perform traditional rituals at the sacred Hemis Monastery.
9. Navratri (3rd-12th Oct 2024): This nine-day festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and features fasting, prayers, and traditional dance performances, such as Garba and Dandiya Rass dances.
10. Guru Nanak Jayanti (15th Nov 2024): It is a prime festival of the Sikh religion. It is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The festival features religious processions, prayers, and community services.

The year 2024 offers various government and bank holidays in Jammu and Kashmir, allowing you to plan your year efficiently.

Know more about:

• Famous Temples in Jammu and Kashmir
• Best Treks in Jammu and Kashmir