States » NorthPosted at: Oct 18 2026 3:49PM


J&K: Stage set for three-day ‘Basohli Utsav’ beginning Monday

Jammu, Oct 18 (UNI) The stage has been set for the much-awaited fourth edition of the three-day annual Basohli Utsav, which begins on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage, traditional arts, cuisine and tourism potential.
The festival, to be held from October 19 to 21 along the Ranjit Sagar Lake, will feature a range of cultural and recreational activities, including the traditional Ram Leela, exhibitions, folk performances, a half-marathon, a bike rally and a Youth Parliament.
Historically known as Vishwasthali, picturesque Basohli is a land of Sanatana, Sanskriti and profound heritage, reflecting a blend of cultural ethos and artistic heritage every year during the ‘Utsav’.
The annual festival aims to highlight the town’s cultural identity and bring together the diverse traditions of the Jammu region.
Shakti Pathak, founder of the Vishwasthali Foundation, which hosts the annual event, described Basohli Utsav as a celebration of the region’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.
Comparing Basohli to a “drawing room” in a house that showcases different shades of culture, traditions and customary ethos, Pathak said the town connects with the Udhampur and Doda regions, making it more special and enriching its identity.
“Basohli Utsav” represents the Jammu Division through its culture and customs, the founder said.
Listing some of the attractions, Pathak said Basohli is known for its GI-tagged Pahari miniature paintings, also known as the Basohli school of Pahari painting, its world-famous Pashmina, traditional Ram Leela and crafts.
“The mouth-watering traditional cuisine at the festival will add more colour to the experience for visitors,” he added.
Newly appointed Jammu Divisional Commissioner Dr Vikas Kundal also visited Basohli on October 15 to review preparations and assess the status of arrangements, interdepartmental coordination and other measures for the smooth and successful conduct of the festival.
He emphasised the significance of Basohli Utsav in showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage, promoting tourism and highlighting its investment potential.
Notably, the century-old open-air Ram Leela remains a major attraction of Basohli Utsav 2026.
The festival will feature a half-marathon, a bike rally, a Youth Parliament, exhibitions-cum-workshops and activities showcasing the region’s rich traditions, local art, cuisine and tourism potential. It will also feature Ramayana-themed traditions and exhibitions, booklets, folk arts, dance and singing competitions, local sports and a host of art and cultural activities.
The Divisional Commissioner will also flag off the Jammu-to-Basohli bike ride on Monday morning from the Tawi River Front in Jammu. The ride is being organised as part of Basohli Utsav.
The ride will bring together bikers from Jammu and other parts of the region to promote Basohli Utsav and highlight the cultural and tourism heritage of Basohli and Kathua district.
Riders will cover the Jammu–Basohli stretch and join the Utsav celebrations in Basohli.
A member of the organising committee said this was the fourth edition of the festival and that everyone associated with the mega event was contributing to making it a success.
“The Jammu region brings together different languages, folk traditions, food, untold stories and much more, and Basohli Utsav provides a platform to bring them under one umbrella, highlighting the diversity we have,” he said.
He added that Basohli shares a border with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and both states have close cultural links with Dogri traditions.
Initiated in 2023, Basohli Utsav represents a dedicated effort to restore and preserve Basohli’s historical glory, particularly its rich artistic and cultural heritage, which once made it a cultural epicentre of the region, he added.
Locally known as “Mini Goa”, Basohli is also famous for the Atal Setu, a cable-stayed bridge over the Ravi River connecting Basohli and Dunera and improving road connectivity among Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
The bridge is the first of its kind in North India and the fourth of its kind in the country.
Basohli Utsav is organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, the Divisional Administration, Jammu, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
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Tags: #J&K: Stage set for three-day ‘Basohli Utsav’ beginning Monday
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