+92 313 3977 314 info@exploria.pk

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.

Already a member?

Login

Kalash Valley in Pakistan: Three Major Festivals

Kalash Valley in Pakistan: Three Major Festivals

Kalash Valley is an isolated valley whose dwellers had remained undetected to the outside world until 1975. The Hindukush mountains encircle the Kalash lowlands. The inhabitants of these regions are known as Kalasha people, they live therefore in the region of northern Pakistan, bunched up between highlands adhere to an ancient version of Hinduism, and have their own culture, language, and mode of life. The Kalasha have managed to hold their homeland for centuries, sustaining their freedom.

The Kalash festival is a long-standing cultural celebration that occurs annually at roughly the same time in the Kalash Valley of Pakistan. There is still much to learn about Kalash Valley in Pakistan as it continues to be a mystery. So, let’s learn a little about the Kalash Valley people and the annual cultural festivals that they celebrate.

 

Kalash Valley Festivals

The Kalasha people observe the Kalash festivals that occur three times a year: in the spring, summer, and winter. People enjoy themselves at the festival by drinking, dancing, and generally having an enjoyable time, however, they also venerate their gods and spirits by providing offerings and even making sacrifices. Additionally, young men and women choose their future spouses during this event as well.

 

The Festival Dates

Chilam Joshi festival, which begins around May 13, is a springtime festival. Beginning on August 20, the Uchal Festival is a summertime festival, while the Choimus Festival, which begins on December 15, is a winter festival.

 

Chilam Joshi Festival (Spring Festival)

Chilam Joshi festival, also referred to as spring festival in Kalash Valley is celebrated in the middle of May. It is a four-day festival that all Kalash Valleys participate in. Milk Day marks the start of the spring festivities. They store milk from their homes ten days before the celebration. During this occasion, Kalash residents donate their beverages, people from the Kalash tribe also dance to the beat of drums while dressed in festive attire. Women dress in traditional garb for the Kalash festival, donning brightly colored garments with floral motifs. Their headgear and clothing are complemented by the beaded necklaces that they wear. While men on the other hand, dress in the traditional Shalwar Kameez, which includes a woolen waistcoat.

The event showcases their distinct cultural diversity, community cohesion, and message of love and peace to the rest of the civilized world. They beseech their God for blessings and pray for a successful agricultural year as well as the wellbeing and safety of their livestock. Both Kalasha men and women make some decisions about their lifestyles during this occasion as on the festival’s last day, they can choose their life mates and proclaim their names while they dance and sing as a whole community.

 

Uchal Festival (Summer Festival)

The inhabitants of Kalash each possess a unique method of embracing summer. The Kalasha people love to celebrate summer festivals. The Uchal festival arrives in August during the summer. This festival has become more well-known internationally in recent years. The summer festival draws a sizable audience from all around Pakistan as well as foreign visitors.

The Kalasha people celebrate the season and express gratitude to their God for providing them with food and crops as a way of showing reverence to him throughout the festivity. After navigating their way in succession to a promontory outside of the hamlet of Balangkuru, the Kalash people pray to their lord. People from Kalash perform singing and dancing and serve freshly made cheese. The nightlong dance and revelry that follows last until the early hours of the following morning. Every valley takes part in celebrating the multi-day summer festival.

 

Choimus Festival (Winter Festival)

The vernacular uses the name “Choimus” for the winter celebration of Kalash Valley. The winter festival is the most significant event in the Kalash Valley, and it is observed in December. This yearly ritual signifies and foretells the village’s and its residents’ future prosperity. People search for foxes throughout the festival because it is seen to be a significant indication. At the primary traditional dancing location known as a “Charsue,” torch-lit parades assemble from neighboring communities.

While the traditional wine is served around the bonfire, dancing and other activities take place indoors and then last throughout the night. On the occasion of the event at the start of the new year, the residents execute purifying rites. The village elders congregate on mountaintops to greet the new year’s morning sun. Goat sacrifices are then offered to the Goddess and the blood is poured at the temple.

 

Conclusion

Since the Kalash Valley has previously been a well-kept secret, traveling and engaging in one of the Kalash festivals might be an enriching journey for visitors. The Kalash Valley’s rich and distinct culture, traditions, stunning natural scenery, and inhabitants all make it a popular tourist destination. Visit Kalash Valley and take part in one of the festivities; we promise you’ll have a fabulous time!

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Recommended on tripadvisor

Google Reviews

Ayaz Amin
Ayaz Amin
2022-09-02
Thanks for a phenomenal tour experience. We had a great time touring with you. Hunza will always be my ultimate favorite destination.
azeem uddin
azeem uddin
2022-09-02
We were a group of friends traveled with Exploria to the heavenly Northern Pakistan. The company made sure our tour experience goes smoothly. Accommodation, food, and the vehicle was the best. The trip was quite a challenge for Exploria due to the weather fluctuations however, the company made sure all things go smoothly. Thanks Exploria for an amazing tour experience. I would certainly recommend Exploria to all my friends and family.
Zaaffari Hunzai
Zaaffari Hunzai
2022-09-01
Had a great experience travelling with Exploria! Their entire team is natives of the beautiful northern Pakistan. Everything was so well organised from the accommodation to the food to the tours. The management was nice and looked after all our needs, making sure everything was perfect. I will certainly recommend Exploria to everyone visiting Pakistan. Best tour operator in Pakistan.
Nadia Archuleta
Nadia Archuleta
2022-08-14
I messaged Exploria in WhatsApp and got into contact with someone who introduced himself as Ashraf, one of the owners. On a Friday night I secured a booking for Monday for a day tour of Islamabad. I signed off with, "I'm looking forward to meeting you. See you Monday." On Sunday night I got a message asking if I was still interested in the tour because "I haven't heard back from you." I messaged back late night/early morning because of the timing of my flight and surprisingly heard from Ashraf. When I arrived in Islamabad, I messaged Ashraf at our appointed meeting time that I was in my hotel room and ready to meet when he was ready. I heard nothing back. I sent a brief query then took a nap. When I awoke, two hours after our scheduled meeting, still no response. So, I contacted the manager of the hotel and asked if he could suggest a tour for me. I was staying at a 5-star hotel (1st night only), so the manager took it upon himself to try and sort the issue with Exploria first. After several phone calls to both Ashraf's phone and the company's landline, I got one message from Ashraf stating he thought I didn't want the tour. At this point, the hotel manager had been contacting both numbers asking if someone was coming for my tour -- clearly I still wanted the tour! When I messaged that fact to Ashraf, he went radio silent again. Meanwhile, I had my tour of Islamabad with a guide the hotel set up -- at a much reduced rate. That evening I had a couple back-and-forths with Ashraf about how he thought I didn't want the tour because I "never got back to him." He kept doubling down that the communication issue was my fault despite my clear messaging and calls from the manager of a 5-star hotel! The cautionary tale is this: Mine was just a one-day tour, so my trip to Pakistan wasn't ruined. However, imagine if I'd secured their services for one of those multi-day, multi-location tours, and they left me stranded that way after I'd already arrived in the country. In short, I would be very leery of a company that has no problem ghosting a customer on the very day of a scheduled excursion.
Chris Damant
Chris Damant
2022-08-07
Baby as always ❤
Rvel Zahid
Rvel Zahid
2022-06-05
Still in awe after watching picturesque sights at Hunza It was our company (Cricingif) trip managed by the cordial staff of Exploria. The AC coaster bus was in good condition and we didn't experience any problems in our journey to Gilgit Baltistan from Lahore. The hotels that they booked for us were good and I really enjoyed the indigenous music performance at Heavens Lodge hotel. Food was fine too as I was concerned about the hygiene, but it all turned out fine in the end. They can improve in the realm of guiding tourists at the spots that they take us to and share interesting insights about all those spectacular places in the beautiful Hunza valley. Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, Husseini Bridge, Forts, and Attabad Lake are all worth watching. I see Exploria becoming a top-notch company very soon if they continue to focus on providing immaculate services and keep customer satisfaction high. Thank you for a memorable trip!
Sadam-Hussain Palh
Sadam-Hussain Palh
2022-03-24
Kaukab Mughal
Kaukab Mughal
2021-08-19
Group of Young Tour guides in Pakistan, there Services are commendable, reliable and one of the best from Karachi to Northern areas. Good keep it up Boys 💚🇵🇰💚🇵🇰💚🇵🇰💚🇵🇰💚🇵🇰💚🇵🇰💚🇵🇰💚
Stories of GilgitBaltistan
Stories of GilgitBaltistan
2020-03-10
waseem barcha
waseem barcha
2020-01-23
Had the best summer trip with these folks. Highly recommended