Preparations for Chilamjusht festival in final stages

People decorate houses, streets, hotels to mark spring onset

CHITRAL: Preparations are in full swing to celebrate the Chilamjusht festival in three Kalash Valleys of the district.

The members of the Kalash community in three valleys of Bamburet, Rambur and Berir celebrate the festival in May to mark the onset of spring season.The three-day spring festival would be celebrated from May 14-16. The people are excited and have already decorated their houses, streets, hotels and other outlets to welcome the spring season.

The people of Kalash tribe living in other parts of the country have started returning to their native areas to celebrate the festival with their families. The Kalash community members, particularly women and children, can be seen shopping in various markets in Chitral town. As the overall law and order has improved in the region, a large number of tourists are expected to participate in the celebrations.

However, the hotel owners said the condition for the foreigners to obtain no-objection certificate (NoC) for visiting the valley would affect their business.The owner of a hotel and a representative of Kalash people, Abdul Haq said that the Chilamjusht festival attracted people from across the country and foreigners as well.