CULTURE

Kathua District is broadly comprises three distinct zones Viz. Border, Kandi and Hilly. Billawar, Bani, Basohli and Lohai –Malhar Blocks of the district comes under HILLY Area, The culture of this area is PAHARI which resembles the culture of Himachal Paradesh. The other part of the district has DOGRA Culture.

Dogri is the main language spoken by the people of the district. Though the dogri spoken in some parts of the district has the influence of Punjabi tone also but the rural areas specially the Hilly areas are free from Punjabi. Their main language is DOGRI/PAHARI. The Language is the rural and hilly areas has maintained its native purity, accent and sweetness. However a very small section of the Population residing in Lohai-Malhar and BANI Blocks also speaks Kashmiri. GOJRI is also spoken by the Gujjar Community settled here and there. However, Dogri is main language spoken in the district.

The district is culturally an integerated part of Jammu region and all important religious fairs like Lohri, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Holi, Ramnavmi, Baisakhi, Basantpanchami, Martyr’s day of Guru Arjun Dev, Raksha Bandhan, Janam Ashtami, Mahanavami, Dussehra, Diwali, id-ul-zuha, Guru Ravi Dass’s b’day, Mahatama gandhi’s b’day Guru Govind Singh’s b’day, Chacha Nehru’s birthday. Above all, the Independence Day and Republic Day are celeberated with great enthusiasm. Holy Navratras also provide special occasion for worship and pilgrimage to holy places culminating into small to big fairs. Ram Lilas are organized in every town as well as in every village of the district. The most famous Ram Lila is performed in BASOHLI.