CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL

CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL

Let's have a look at the most colourful spring festival,CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL of KALASH VALLEY. The CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL has been celebrating for the past 3,000 years but its uniqueness and beauty is still alive.

CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL

CHILAM JOSHI: Duration

CHILAM JOSHI (spring festival) continues from three to four days in the mid of May but inhabitants of beautiful KALASH VALLEY start its preparation months ago and ends with the imbibing of locally brewed mulberry wine. CHILAM JOSHI festival starts at Rumbur valley and then moves on to other valleys of KALASH and people from all over the world, despite persistent security threats, come to enjoy the joyful festival of CHILAM JOSHI and convey a wonderful and peaceful image of PAKISTAN to the rest of the world. PAKISTAN has started appreciating the identity and roots of culture hidden in KALASH VALLEY. KALASH VALLEY has a very unique culture. The place and people are close to nature. People come here for the sake of pleasure. So, how can it possible that its festivals less worth-celebrating...

CHILAM JOSHI: Celebration

One of the most vital KALASH festival is CHILAM JOSHI. The festival of CHILAM JOSHI is full of "JOSH" (EXCITEMENT), it reflects the cultural richness and the harmony in their society. CHILAM JOSHI gives an excellent opportunity to celebrate the beginning of spring and to give a message of peace to the world. The worldwide famous festival and festivity of KALASH VALLEY, CHILAM JOSHI, is like Eid celebration. The locals distribute dry fruits and other gifts among the visitors and guests.

CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL

CHILAM JOSHI: Dancing and singing

The people of Kalash adore the music and dance to the beat of drums and both men and women share these moments of dancing together during the festivities.In their traditional dresses of vibrant colours, they celebrate CHILAM JOSHI with full excitement. They dance and sing in a cirlce on the rhythmical chant of drum beats.
The fact is: >>>THEY NEVER MISS A CHANCE TO DANCE<<<

CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL

CHILAM JOSHI: Milk Day

CHILAM JOSHI begins with “Milk Day”. Ten days prior to the festival, The KALASH people store milk from their households. On the day of the festival,  groups of singing and dancing Kalasha go house-to-house, where they are offered libations of milk.

CHILAM JOSHI: Love-Marriage Festival

The most interesting fact about this festival is that both bachelors and spinsters of KALASH VALLEY meet with the aim of finding spouse during the festival , as a part of the religious and cultural traditions. After selecting their life partner, express their love in front of the audience on this specail day because in their religion, they can choose whoever they want to marry with, the parents don't dictate them. So, CHILAM JOSHI brings bright and big smiles on the faces of unmarried Kalasha.

CHILAM JOSHI: Praying

On the festival of CHILAM JOSHI, Every Kalasha prays for a prosperous year of agriculture and health and safety of their herds. They pray to Goshidai (Deity) and sing for the departed souls of their loved ones and for this purpose they used to spread milk on their Gods.

CHILAM JOSHI: Final Day

As the natives of KALASH believe that they are the descendants of the Greek King Alexander the Great, who once ruled the entire region. So, on the final day of CHILAM JOSHI, the elders of KALASH VALLEY share the legendary tales of the tribe.

CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL

CHILAM JOSHI: Security

However, Chitral is one of the most peaceful regions of PAKISTAN and the security is merely a necessary precaution yet Security forces have been deployed along all roads leading to the KALASH VALLEY. All visitors are required to register themselves at multiple checkpoints to ensure no militant attempts to infiltrate the gathering.

CHILAM JOSHI: Visitors

Almost all hotels in Bamburet valley are booked in advance before the festival, but tourists with craze to enjoy CHILAM JOSHI don't hesitate to stay under the open sky due to non-availability of rooms in hotels. Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) has also established a tent village for the tourists. CHILAM JOSHI Festival is always a roaring success. Scores of tourists poured in to celebrate and enjoy the festivities with KALASH at  CHILAM JOSHI. Visitors hail the generosity, characteristics and unique attire and festivals of KALASH, after catching a glimpse of the religious festival, lavish praise on the KALASH people for having treat them with love and care, urging others to pay a visit as well.

CHILAM JOSHI: Conclusion

Along the mystic banks of KALASH VALLEY, CHILAM JOSHI Festival is celebrated with full fervor and enthusiasm. You'll leave enthralled after practically watching and feeling the majestic sounds of singing and dancing, catching the picturesque view of the valley’s scenic beauty and feeling proud of the cultural diversity and legacy PAKISTAN has to offer.
CHILAM JOSHI celebration highlight their cultural richness, plethora of colours and the underlying message of peace.

//ENJOY THE COLOURFUL CHILAM JOSHI IN THE PICTURESQUE VALLEY//

CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL

Apart from the most important CHILAM JOSHI FESTIVAL: KALASH community celebrate three others annually- UCHAL, PHOO, CHAUMOS. So, keep reading my other posts about other colourful festivals of KALASH VALLEY.

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By: Hayat Maidah