New Delhi: The historic Bhairav Yatra of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir has been added to the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India.
Rajouri’s Bhairav Yatra is a centuries-old sacred procession. While its exact origin year is not historically documented, generations have celebrated the vibrant festival. It is held annually in the main markets of the border district just before Holi.
The procession is dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav, an avatar of Lord Shiva. During the procession, a devotee embodies the form of ‘Baba’ Bhairav Dev, with his entire body painted black. Devotees receive blessings by symbolically touching the chimta (ritual tongs) held by the ‘Baba’.
“This prestigious recognition will go a long way in documenting, preserving, and celebrating the area’s deep spiritual and cultural roots. This national honour validates the generations of devotees who kept this tradition alive,” wrote Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on X.
Sinha said the inclusion will strengthen Rajouri’s unique cultural footprint on the national stage. “It will open the door for research, cultural exchange and sustainable heritage tourism,” he said.
Proud moment for Rajouri! The district’s historic Bhairav Yatra has officially been added to National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India. Congratulations to the Rajouri District Administration and the J&K's Department of Culture for turning this dream into a… pic.twitter.com/RCykJRZ5zV
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 15, 2026
Thanking Sinha for his “constant encouragement,” Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri Abhishek Sharma said that the move will “inspire greater efforts to preserve our rich cultural heritage.”
Journey for inclusion
The proposal for inclusion of the Yatra was documented and submitted by the Rajouri district administration to the Department of Culture, Jammu and Kashmir.
Following evaluation and recommendations from the Provisional Committee constituted for updating the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India, the proposal was approved for inclusion.
“This recognition gives national visibility to an integral part of Rajouri’s cultural identity. The District Administration remains committed to the systematic documentation, safeguarding and promotion of our invaluable cultural heritage,” said Sharma.
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) includes traditions, oral expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and skills transmitted across generations.
The Union Culture Ministry through Sangeet Natak Akademi has been taking steps to ensure timely updation of the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage list that covers documentation and preservation of ICH elements across India. The ministry has established seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) to preserve and promote India’s folk arts and culture. These centers have headquarters in Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur, and Thanjavur. They work to protect, disseminate and develop regional cultural diversity, and document vanishing art forms.
India also submits one nomination every year for inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. For the 2025-26 cycle, the Hindu festival Deepawali has been included in UNESCO’s ICH list. Chhath Mahaparv, popularly celebrated in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, has been nominated for inclusion in the list for the 2026-27 cycle.
As of now, India has a total of 16 recognised elements in the UNESCO’s ICH list, including Vedic chanting, Ramleela, Yoga and Durga Puja.
(Edited by: Aakriti Handa)