KALASH, CHITRAL: A seven-day ‘Kalash festival Chitirmas (Chomus)’ kicked off in the valley here today (Saturday) with colorful activities.
The festival is scheduled to take place in three Kalash valleys, including Bumborate, Rumboor, and Birir, from December 16 to 22.
The Kalash festival is an ancient cultural event held annually in the Kalash Valley, Pakistan, amidst the Hindukush mountains. The inhabitants of these valleys, known as the Kalasha people, possess a distinctive culture, unique traditions, and a language, adhering to an ancient form of Hinduism.
Celebrated by the Kalasha people, the Kalash festival occurs thrice in spring, summer, and winter. The spring festival is named Chilam Joshi and commences around May 13. The summer festival, Uchal, starts on August 20. The winter festival, Choimus, begins on December 16.
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Participants engage in revelry during these festivals, including dancing and general merriment. Simultaneously, they conduct religious rituals, offering worship to their Gods and spirits. The Kalash festival thus encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural celebrations, religious observances, and communal traditions within the captivating landscapes of the Kalash valley.
Many tourists from around the world visit this area to experience these festivals. Anticipating a notable increase in tourist traffic to the valleys during this festival, the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Lower Chitral have declared the imposition of Section 144 in the district from December 16 to 22. The decree prohibits the display of arms and unauthorized media interviews within the local Kalash community during the Kalash festival of Chitirmas (Chomus).
The announcement emphasized the implementation of a precautionary measure. This measure aims to guarantee the security of the Kalash community during their religious festival and ensure the safety of visitors, with the prohibition set to remain in effect until December 22.
