Ramban, September 1, 2026- The picturesque Pogal Paristan belt of Ramban district is set to come alive with colour, music and tradition as the Mega Pahari Ethnic Folk Festival — Sunaseri Guglidhār — takes place on September 5–6, 2026. The two-day event is expected to draw visitors, cultural enthusiasts and tourists from across Jammu and Kashmir and beyond, positioning the region as an emerging destination on the Union Territory’s tourism map.
Named after two of the area’s most scenic and well-known spots, Sunaseri and Guglidhār (also referred to locally as Googli Dhar), the festival aims to celebrate the distinct Pahari identity of the Pogal Paristan region, which lies in the Chenab Valley of Jammu division. The area, known for its dense deodar and pine forests, alpine meadows and traditional villages, has long been considered one of the more scenic yet underexplored corners of Jammu and Kashmir.
A Showcase of Pahari Culture
At the heart of the festival will be a vibrant display of Pahari music and folk dance performances, presented by local artists in traditional attire that reflects the region’s unique sartorial heritage. Visitors can expect performances rooted in generations-old customs, passed down through oral tradition and community celebration.
Alongside the performances, the festival will feature stalls and exhibitions of local handicrafts, giving artisans from the Pogal and Paristan areas a platform to display and sell their work. Traditional crafts, woven textiles and handmade goods that are otherwise rarely seen outside the immediate region are expected to be a major draw for visitors.
The event will also include glimpses of everyday customs and rituals associated with the area, offering outsiders a rare window into the lived culture of a community that has historically remained somewhat isolated due to the region’s rugged terrain and limited connectivity.
Boosting Tourism and Local Livelihoods
Beyond its cultural significance, the festival carries an important economic dimension. Organisers and local authorities are hopeful that the event will help boost tourism footfall in a region that, despite its natural beauty, has often been overlooked in favour of more established destinations in Kashmir and the Jammu plains.
Increased visitor interest is expected to directly benefit local livelihoods, particularly artisans, homestay operators, small vendors, and those involved in hospitality and transport services within Pogal Paristan. The festival is being seen as part of a broader effort by the district administration and tourism authorities to diversify Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism offerings beyond the traditionally popular circuits, spotlighting lesser-known regions rich in natural and cultural capital.
Preserving a Fragile Heritage
Perhaps most significantly, the festival is being framed as an effort at cultural preservation. As younger generations migrate to towns and cities in search of education and employment, traditional Pahari customs, music and craftsmanship in remote areas like Pogal Paristan face the risk of gradual erosion. Events such as Sunaseri Guglidhār aim to counter this by creating a dedicated public platform where these traditions can be documented, celebrated and passed on.
Pogal Paristan, situated roughly 150 kilometres from both Jammu and Srinagar, already has a history of hosting similar cultural gatherings, including the annual Pogal Paristan Festival and the Pogal Sargali Cultural Bonanza, both known for showcasing folk songs, crafts and traditional sport. The Sunaseri Guglidhār Festival adds to this growing calendar of community-driven cultural events in the Chenab Valley.
With its blend of heritage, tourism potential and community participation, the festival is expected to reinforce Pogal Paristan’s standing as one of Jammu and Kashmir’s promising cultural tourism destinations.