French tourists in Chitral to enjoy Chilimjusht

CHITRAL: A group of French tourists have arrived here to enjoy the Chilimjusht festival in Kalash valleys.

The officials of Tourist Information Centre (TIC) briefed the visiting foreign tourists on the culture, traditions, tourist attractions, religious rites, particularly the upcoming Chilimjusht or Joshi Festival.

They were told that the Chilimjusht festival would kick off on May 14 simultaneously at the three Kalash valleys of Bamburet, Birir and Rambur. It marks the arrival of spring and summer seasons and provides an opportunity to the visitors to witness the lifestyle of the Kalash people.

Preparations for the upcoming festival are in full-swing as the Kalash people have launched the cleanliness drive. Like the previous year, the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) will establish a tent village to facilitate the tourists in the scenic Kalash valleys.

The tourists were informed that this year the local people were very enthusiastic and were impatiently waiting for the festival to celebrate it in a befitting manner. They have started a cleanliness campaign well before the commencement of the event.

The officials said that Kalash men and women were seen shopping for the festival in the Chitral bazaar while in the valleys they were busy preparing traditional dresses for the festival.

The people of Kalash celebrate the festival while dancing to the traditional music and drumbeats.