Jammu, September 23, 2026: The 131st birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, was observed across the Union Territory on Wednesday, with political, social and community organisations organising commemorative programmes and paying tributes.
In Jammu, the Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) organised a large Maharally that began from the Ban Talab area and passed through several parts of the city before culminating at the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh near the Tawi Bridge. Participants paid floral tributes at the statue, while traditional programmes and gatherings were also held at different locations.
The Shri Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha, J&K, organised programmes across several districts, including Ramban, Sunderbani, Samba, Reasi, Kathua, Billawar, Udhampur, Jindrah and R S Pura. Havans and other commemorative activities were held, with participants remembering the Maharaja and his historical legacy.
The Maharaja’s statue near Tawi Bridge remained a major focal point for tributes, with various organisations and groups visiting the site separately to pay their respects.
Tributes Across Jammu
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s J&K unit also organised commemorative programmes in Jammu and Srinagar. J&K BJP President and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma led tributes at different locations, while party leaders and workers paid floral tributes at the BJP headquarters and other venues.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also paid tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh on his birth anniversary. In his remarks, Sinha described him as an enlightened statesman and progressive thinker and highlighted reforms associated with public welfare and social empowerment.
Other organisations, including the Dogra Sadar Sabha, Shri Ram Sena, Social Reforms & Charitable Organization and Laghu Udyog Bharati, also held programmes or paid floral tributes to commemorate the occasion.
In Kishtwar, the Social Reforms & Charitable Organization organised a programme with children at an orphanage, while celebrations in Khour included a rally, commemorative function and Dogra cultural programmes.
Legacy and Public Observances
The celebrations highlighted different aspects of Maharaja Hari Singh’s historical legacy, including social reform, education, administration and public welfare. Various organisations recalled reforms associated with his rule and his place in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
The anniversary was also observed amid a recent political debate in the J&K Legislative Assembly over public holidays marking the birth anniversaries of Maharaja Hari Singh and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. The debate took place ahead of the September 23 observance.
The day’s programmes across Jammu and Kashmir reflected the continuing public interest in Maharaja Hari Singh’s historical legacy, with rallies, floral tributes, religious ceremonies and community events held at multiple locations.
