Jhiri Mela — Baba Jitto Fair, Ramnagar
15. November 2026
Month
November
Über dieses Fest
The Jhiri Mela is the largest folk fair of the Jammu region, held annually in November at Jhiri village near Ramnagar in Udhampur district. The fair commemorates the sacrifice of Baba Jitto — the legendary Dogra farmer-saint who gave his life protesting agrarian injustice in the 17th century. Over 500,000 pilgrims attend this multi-day fair, which is a unique blend of spiritual devotion, Dogri folk culture, and remembrance of the patron saint of farmers.
- Jhiri Mela (November
- Ramnagar): Visit Baba Jitto's samadhi shrine for prayers. Traditional Dogri folk performances: giddha dance
- Dogri songs
- and cultural programs. Local Dogri cuisine stalls and traditional craft exhibitions. Pilgrims carry symbolic offerings (corn/grain) to honor the farmer-saint's memory. Procession from Ramnagar to Jhiri village. Kirtan and bhajan throughout the night.
- Begin the day with sankalp and short prayer.
- Include: Jhiri Mela (November.
- Include: Ramnagar): Visit Baba Jitto's samadhi shrine for prayers. Traditional Dogri folk performances: giddha dance.
- Include: Dogri songs.
- Conclude with gratitude, prasad, and positive resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Baba Jitto and why is the Jhiri Mela held in his memory?
Baba Jitto was a 17th-century Dogra farmer-saint who gave his life protesting agrarian injustice — specifically, the exploitation of peasants by landlords. His sacrifice made him the patron saint of farmers in the Jammu region. The Jhiri Mela at his samadhi shrine is an annual act of collective remembrance and reverence.
What symbolic offering do pilgrims carry to Baba Jitto's shrine?
Pilgrims traditionally carry corn or grain as symbolic offerings to Baba Jitto's samadhi shrine — directly echoing his identity as a farmer-saint who died defending the rights of agricultural communities. This gesture of bringing the fruits of the earth honours his memory more personally than flowers or incense.
What traditional Dogri cultural performances take place at Jhiri Mela?
The Jhiri Mela features giddha (traditional women's circle dance), Dogri folk songs, and cultural programs showcasing the living heritage of the Jammu region. Kirtan and bhajan continue through the night. Local Dogri cuisine stalls and traditional craft exhibitions also form an important part of the multi-day fair.
How large is the Jhiri Mela attendance and where exactly is it held?
The Jhiri Mela draws over 500,000 pilgrims each November, making it the largest folk fair of the Jammu region. It is held in Jhiri village near Ramnagar in Udhampur district. The fair includes a procession from Ramnagar town to the Jhiri village shrine of Baba Jitto.
