Srinagar, July 15: The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, announced a proud moment for Rajouri district, revealing that the historic Bhairav Yatra has been officially included in India’s national intangible cultural heritage list.
In a post on the social media platform ‘X’, Sinha congratulated the Rajouri district administration and the Jammu and Kashmir culture department for this achievement. He emphasized that this honor will play a crucial role in preserving, documenting, and promoting the region’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
The Lieutenant Governor noted that this national recognition also honors the faith and dedication of generations who have kept this tradition alive for centuries. The inclusion of the Bhairav Yatra in the national intangible cultural heritage list will provide Rajouri’s unique cultural identity with a new recognition at the national level. It will also promote research, cultural exchange, and sustainable heritage tourism.
The Bhairav Yatra is a centuries-old and immensely popular spiritual festival celebrated in the Rajouri region of Jammu and Kashmir, primarily during the Holi festival. Known for its unique traditions and religious significance, this yatra has a special feature where a devotee embodies the form of Baba Bhairav Dev. The devotee’s entire body is painted black, leading a grand procession. During the journey, he symbolically touches devotees with a pair of tongs, believed by locals to bring good fortune, safety, and blessings from Baba Bhairav.
The recognition of this historic yatra as part of India’s national intangible cultural heritage not only acknowledges its religious and cultural importance at the national level but also paves the way for the preservation and enhancement of this invaluable tradition for future generations.
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