MANSEHRA: The Naran festival kicked off with a night gala on Friday, attracting a large number of tourists from across the country to enjoy folk dances and music amid natural beauty and pleasant weather.

“Amid pleasant weather I enjoyed the musical night where folk songs and Gatka were the main features,” Ayesha, a tourist from Karachi, said at the end of the programme.

Commissioner Hazara Zaheerul Islam had inaugurated the three-day Naran festival on Friday evening. A large number of tourists showed up at the musical night.

Children particularly showed great enthusiasm in the magic show and fireworks, while women thronged the stalls of bangles, mehndi and food. They also showed keen interest in folk music.

“We have been in Kaghan valley for the last one week and really enjoyed the night gala which I think is one of the main attractions of the festival,” Nighat Shaheen, a tourist, said.

After inauguration, the commissioner Hazara had had invited the people from across the country to attend the event. “This is a great festivity being held on the side of the Kunhar River amid pleasant weather.

“I invite nature lovers to come here and enjoy the local culture and tradition amid soothing environment,” Mr Islam said.

He said that the great festivity had been a regular feature for last many years, and that this time they expected an even bigger number of tourists to show up at the festival.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2019