In India several fairs and festivals are celebrated. Some celebrates the starting of spring season and a prosperous and plentiful harvest, while others honor a god or a goddess. However, there is one unique fiesta, organized in the Jhiri village which is at a short distance from the Jammu. This Mela is celebrated for both the reasons which are its uniqueness and beauty. Jhiri Mela is originally an annual Festival organized in Jammu from October to November.

In Jammu, Jhiri Mela is a symbol of courage, compassion and honesty. It also maintains the values, traditions and ethnicity of the Indians.  Jhiri Mela also creates a festive mood which is unique to any other celebrations of its kind. It revitalizes the temper of the populace and proffers them some rest and leisure from the routine of everyday lives. 

Description of the Jhiri Mela in Jammu

There is a fable following the Jhiri Mela which is in Jammu. In accordance with the fable, there lived a local farmer and he was honest and straightforward. The name of the farmer was Baba Jitu. The farmer used to reside with his family at the Jhiri village which was situated nearly 14 kms away from Jammu. The neighboring landlord once demanded that the farmer should stay apart from his crop.

This was unfair because Baba Jitu worked hard on the fields to generate that prosperous yield. He could not believe the injustice of the Zaminder and so he committed suicide as there was no second choice left before him. Also there was no police or the king who was ready to hear to a simple peasant. So, the helpless peasant had to finish his life.

People of the village Jhiri started to worship that farmer called Baba because of his truthfulness and self-esteem. They started considering that the farmer’s soul was everlasting and required to be worshipped. So each year the populace of Jhiri rejoice the Jhiri Mela in the last part of October to memorialize the great sacrifice of the naive peasant.
From all parts of India populace visit the Jhiri fair in order to give respect to the holy soul.

Time for the celebration of the Jhiri Mela

Jhiri Mela is generally organized at the last of October or at the starting of November. The fair persists for many days at a stretch and proffers enjoyment to both young and old alike. In the Jhiri Mela a variety of things are sold in the Mela compound such as Pottery, toys, vases and utensils and many more items. Other than these, there are few stalls which sell books on the renowned Baba Jitu because of whom this festival has attained such popularity. These pamphlets and books exalt the life and works of Baba Jitu. This Jhiri Mela is an awesome experience.

Farmers and Mela

This Jhiri Mela is also called as the Farmer’s fair as it is celebrated to worship the holy soul of the farmer named Baba Jitu. This fair also creates a significant selling outlet for the sugarcane crop, which is conveyed by most of the visitors and farmers to the Mela. It is a big occasion for an outing of the family and is particularly rejoiced by children and women. There are numerous stalls loaded with a range of eye-catching goods – from pottery and vases, to toys, utensils and books. Lasts almost a week, dances and songs are also organized and a range of local foods are there. There are a number of other activities which includes cultural programs and local rustic sporting occasions such as wrestling.

How to Reach

The state of Jammu is well connected with the rest of the country by air, rail and road.

By Air

Airport of Jammu is well linked with all the major airports of the country, such as, Delhi, Srinagar and Leh. Various airways companies provide regular flights to all the major cities from Jammu.

Flights from Amritsar to Delhi link all the main three terrains of the state – Ladakh, the Kashmir Valley, and the Jammu terrain. Cabs and Taxis are obtainable outside the airport to reach Jhiri village.

By Road

Jammu is well linked by bus services. It is associated to all the neighboring cities via private buses which include Manali (Rs 1,500), Amritsar (Rs 900), Shimla (Rs 1,500), Ludhiana (Rs 1,200) and Delhi. The distance from Delhi to Jammu is nearly 684 kms and tourist buses charge nearly Rs 2,000. By road one can easily reach Jhiri village.

By Rail

The main railway station in the state of Jammu is the Jammu Tawi. It is associated to all main cities of India like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and also to the southernmost railway station of Trivandrum. Cabs and Taxis are obtainable outside the railway station to reach Jhiri village