CHITRAL: Kalash spring festival, Chilam Joshi, has officially kicked off across the three scenic valleys of Bumburate, Birir, and Rumbur with traditional fervor and zeal.

The annual festival heralds the arrival of the spring season in the region in which Kalash people of all ages, dressed in their colourful traditional attire, actively participate. Local communities engage in traditional singing, dancing, and religious rituals in which children, youth, and elders gather in community halls to celebrate the event.

The event draws local and international tourists to the remote valleys of Chitral while the valleys echoe with the beats of traditional drums as the unique cultural celebration begins its the multi-day celebrations.

Kalash Valleys Development Authority (KVDA) has made elaborate arrangement for facilitating the tourists, including sanitation, hygiene and parking for the motor vehicles.

Director-general of KVDA, Fidaul Karim is present in Bumburate valley to supervise the event. Sub-divisional police officer Ayun, Hassanullah is also stationed in the valley to look after the special security apparatus devised for the festival.

A large number of tourists are in the valleys both from different parts of Pakistan and abroad.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026