Kathua District broadly comprises three distinct zones viz. Border, Kandi and Hilly. Billawar, Bani, Basohli and Lohai–Malhar Blocks of the district comes under HILLY Area. The culture of this area is PAHARI which resembles the culture of Himachal Paradesh. The other part of the district has Dogra culture.
Dogri is the main language spoken by the people of the district. Though the dogri spoken in some parts of the district has the influence of Punjabi tone also but the rural areas specially the Hilly areas are free from Punjabi. Their main language is DOGRI/PAHARI. The language is the rural and hilly areas has maintained its native purity, accent and sweetness. However, a very small section of the population residing in Lohai-Malhar and Bani Blocks also speaks Kashmiri. GOJRI is also spoken by the Gujjar Community settled here and there. However, Dogri is main language spoken in the district.
The district is culturally an integrated part of Jammu region and all important religious fairs like Lohri, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Holi, Ramnavmi, Baisakhi, Basantpanchami, Martyr's day of Guru Arjun Dev, Raksha Bandhan, Janam Ashtami, Mahanavami, Dussehra, Diwali, id-ul-zuha, Guru Ravi Dass's b’day, Mahatama gandhi's b’day Guru Govind Singh's b’day, Chacha Nehru's birthday. Above all, the Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Holy Navratras also provide special occasion for worship and pilgrimage to holy places culminating into small to big fairs. Ram Lilas are organized in every town as well as in every village of the district. The most famous Ram Lila is performed in BASOHLI.Among teens Christmas,New year,Valentine's Day are also observed. One of the main temple of Mata Baal-kanya is situated at village CHANGRAN just 2 km from the city centre. Other temples and shrines include Mata Ashapurni Temple in Down Town bazaar, Mata Jasrota,Peer Chattar Shaw on Nagri road,Peer Lakhdata ji in Jawahar nagar and many others
