J&K Deputy CM Manohar Sinha Hails Bhairav Yatra Heritage Listing

Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Chief Minister Manoj Sinha expressed pride after the Bhairav Yatra of Rajouri received national intangible heritage status.

In a post on X, Sinha thanked the district’s cultural officers for their dedication to preserving the ritual’s deep spiritual roots and for compiling comprehensive documentation.

The acknowledgment positions the Yatra alongside other celebrated Indian traditions, opening doors for scholarly study, inter‑regional cultural dialogue and the growth of heritage‑centric travel.

Distinctive for its lead devotee who dons black paint to represent Baba Bhairav, the procession includes a symbolic touch—a light pinch—to each pilgrim, believed to usher in safety and prosperity.

The government’s statement underlined that the honor validates the unwavering faith of ancestors who have sustained the event for centuries and will help safeguard it for forthcoming generations.