Because of being a key process in nutrient and carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, decomposition of mixed litter in Kashmir Himalayan grassland was studied in relation to various biotic and abiotic factors. Litter decomposition rate was significantly higher in buried litter bags irrespective of their mesh size. Using the negative exponential model of litter breakdown, the decomposition constant (k) varied from! 0.005 to! 0.010 d-1 depending upon the placement (either on soil surface or buried into the soil) and mesh size of litter bags. Soil microbes, particularly saprophytic fungi, were of significance in the decomposition of mixed litter. The relationships between litter decomposition and some biotic and climatic factors examined through use of Pearson’s correlation and stepwise regression analyses revealed that soil temperature together with soil fungi explained significant proportion of the variability in the mass loss of litter during the study period.