Every November the ancient Jhiri Mela festival is held in the town Jhiri in India. The town and festival are named after the legendary martyr Baba Jitto, a farmer who fought against exploitation by the feudal lords. He died protecting the rights of the farmers about 500 years ago. The fair is celebrating Jitto’s courage and sacrifice and the liberation of the farming community.

The Jhiri festival is a traditional event and celebrates honesty, innocence, and humility. It also encourages people to have courage and be truthful. Thousands of tourists from all over India gather during the Jhiri festival to pay respects to farmers.

[Sucha Singh, Vendor]:
"This fair attracts people from all religions. We have devotees coming from Punjab, Himachal and other parts of the country, too."

The Jhiri fair is turning out to be one of the biggest cultural and historical fairs in Jammu. The festivities last for a week.

For the people coming from all over India, one important ritual during the Jhiri fair is to take a dip in a holy pool near the temple. The waters are said to have special healing powers for the skin.

Although the heroic farmer is no longer here, the locals have kept him alive in their culture, folksongs and memories.