Culture plays an important role in the lives of the people of Rajouri District. The people in the region have a distinctive cultural heritage and unique historical backdrop. The Pahari tribes of the place comprise Hindu, Muslim and Sikhs whose cultural affinity and language is binding force of their cultural heritage. Their mother tongue is a great connecting factor of pahari speaking people, which have been nourishing their age-old secular, lookout also. The life of the people of Rajouri is a blend of Poonchi, Pahari, Dogri, Gujri and Kashmiri culture.

Art and Crafts of Rajouri District
Art and crafts defines the culture of the district to a great extent. Embroidery, basket making, Blanket making, Namda, Chikri wood carving, Tilla (Copper) work, and Gabba making, etc. are the main handicrafts of the region. With the ushering of modern age, some of these handicrafts due to high cost of production as compared to the machine made articles have lost buyers and as a result of which the persons who were involved in production of these articles have abandoned manufacturing such items and have resorted to other activities of earning their source of revenue. The main items under embroidery craft consist of Shah Embroidery (both Sojni and Aari). Embroidery on bed sheets, Pillows, TV or Radio curtains, wall Hangings, covers, sofa set covers, table covers, napkins, etc.

Folk Songs and Dances of Rajouri District
Rajouri district is a land of matchless and unimaginable beauty in the form of wonderful folk songs and folk dances. The most important languages spoken in the region are Pahari, Poonchi, Gujri, Dogri and Kashmiri. The life of the people of Rajouri is a merge of Poonchi, Pahari, Dogri, Gujri and Kashmiri culture. Folk songs and folk dances of a particular region portray the living style of people, their tastes, costumes, traditions, rituals and culture. Different cultural forms and styles of singing and dances are still prevalent in the region. Gujjars are one of the most important segments of the population of the district. Folk song Dhindi, Kenchi, Cucko, Mehndi, Baisakh, Dholan, Laari, and Bar-Shams are renowned amongst the people. Baisakh is the folk song of summer when the people migrate to Dhoks with their livestock.

Dances express the deepest joy and contentment of a man. These are the real pictures of the life of the people and their folk culture. Dances are always associated with some fairs, festivals or worship of God or Goddess. District Rajouri touches the border of Poonch, Jammu and Udhampur, So that the main dances of Rajouri are Dogri Bhangra, Gogri Dance, Keekli, Letri Naach, Jattar, Jagarana,Chowki Naach, and Rouf etc.

Fairs and Festivals of Rajouri District
Fairs and festivals have a unique appeal of their own. These occasions give a meeting place for people from different shades of opinion. In Rajouri district, these had been a matchless heritage of celebrating fairs and festivals and the people have adopted these as a part of life. Dusshera is celebrated all over the district. In the Rajouri town Ramlila is held at Town Hall, Rajouri. Nowshera Day is another occasion of majestic and esteemed importance. The town folk and army personal recall the courage of the civilians of Nowshera in repulsing the attack of Pakistani invaders on December 16, 1975, on the day jointly. Every Year, on this day a commemoration function is held, attended by thousands of people including large numbers of civilians, ex-soldiers and army personnel. Holi, the festival of colours gives a unique charisma and is celebrated in an unparalleled style. The week long festival carries rich traditions of all Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims and this unity in diversity had been a matchless heritage of people of Rajouri district since the ancient period.

The favourite dishes of Paharies are rice, meat, and bread of maize. Pahari women wear silver ornaments like Jhumka, Long, Chhalla, Kangan, Hasieri (necklace), Payal etc. While the men wear silver and golden rings. These ornaments are of typical type, which are distinctive from the ornaments of the other tribes residing in the same belt. Kabaddi is the main indigenous game of Paharies, which is played in the whole pahari belt. The lifting of Bughdar (stone lifting) is another game of Paharies, which shows the power of young man. Thus the culture of Rajouri district is indeed unique and colourful.