PESHAWAR: The three-day Chilim Jusht or Joshi festival concluded with much funfair and religious activities at the scenic Bamburet valley of Chitral on Wednesday.

The festival, which heralds the arrival of spring season in Chitral, is usually celebrated in the three Kalash valleys — Bamburet, Birir and Rumbur, according to a press release issued here by the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP).

Officials claimed that this year the participation of local and foreign tourists was tremendous and that almost all hotels in Bamburet valley had been booked well before the start of festival.

French, Italian and Australian tourist families stayed in Chitral for several days and enjoyed the local culture, traditions, tourist attractions and festival in the scenic valleys.

As part of the religious and cultural traditions, the locals distributed dry fruits and other gifts among the visitors and guests.

A group of motorcyclists also participated in adventure tourism activities at the festival.

The TCKP had also established a tent village for the tourists.

The main feature of the festival is the selection of life partners for unmarried boys and girls.

Meanwhile, Chitral Scouts thrashed its rival Chitral Police by 9 goals in the final of Mulki Cup district polo tournament played at the historical polo ground on Wednesday.

The tournament continued for more than 10 days participated by 52 teams drawn from across the district.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2018