An unspoiled paradise of lush green valleys, snowy peaks and glacial rivers, Chitral is the largest district in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The word Chitral means field when translated in the local language Khowar. Surrounded by the Chitral river, Chitral is made up of a number of valleys which attracts a large number of tourists towards itself because of its diverse yet rich culture.
One of the valleys that is a part of Chitral is the Kalash valley which is home to one of the oldest tribes of South Asia. The Kalash valley is well known throughout the world for its unique culture, religion, language, festivals and the way of living.
This is one reason because of which Kalash Valley is one of the most visited valleys in the Chitral district. One of the facets that attract people towards this mesmerizing valley are the festivals that are celebrated for various purposes. This includes the Chilam Joshi festival which is one of the main highlights of the local culture.
If you are someone who plans to visit Chitral anytime soon, then this article by Jovago Pakistan is a must read for you as it will serve as your complete guide for the Chilam Joshi festival.
Location
The Chilam Joshi festival is celebrated in the stunning valley of Kalash which is famous for its backward lifestyle. The Kalash valley is surrounded by the famous Karakoram range which is one of the highest ranges in the world. On the Northern and Western side of its border, lies Afghanistan and Central Asian states including Tajikistan.
Description
The festival is celebrated by the pagans of Kalash as part of their religious practices. Celebrated in the month of May, Chilam Joshi festival marks the start of the spring in the region. The Kalashi people celebrate it to thank their gods for the numerous blessings bestowed upon them during the year. The event serves as the perfect occasion to showcase the original way of the Kalashi people who still remain to live their lives according to their more than thousand-year-old traditional practices.
Popular names
The Chilam Joshi festival is also known by the names of Joshi and Chilim Jusht.
Main Highlights of the festival
- Attire
Famous for continuing their traditional way of life, the pagans of Kalash dress up for this festival. The women are dressed up in their black, floor length dresses which have colorful embroideries and the local headwear called Copesi which is made from colorful beads, stones and threads. One the other hand, men also wear their traditional dress and cap on this festival.
- Dance
To cherish the bounties that their various gods have blessed them with, the people of Kalash gather around on the Chilam Jusht festival, dressed in their thousand-year-old dress code and dance to the traditional, local songs. The Kalasha are famous for their dance which they perform in a group.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and set on an eye-opening journey to visit Chitral that will certainly leave you mesmerized. You can book hotel in Chitral though Jovago to make your trip much comfortable.
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