First of its kind Snow games, Traditional Fashion Show, Lathbazi along with Adventure, Music and food made the day of visitors
STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADERWAH: Two-days ‘Asikni Bhaderkashi Utsav’ concluded today impressively showcasing the potential of District Doda in general and Bhaderwah area in particular in the tourism sector. The successful culmination of the event has brought the Bhaderwah, as all weather and round the year tourist destination, in tourism map.
The utsav witnessed huge footfall of thousands of people from all over the country, along with some foreign tourists. First of its kind traditional fashion show, Snow Wresting (Kushti), Snow Cricket, Snow football, Local Lathbazi showed the enthusiasm of the people who visited Jai Valley in these two days. Mesmerizing performance of renowned Kabul Bukhari, local artists, Band of Bhaderwah, and others spellbound the audience.
Rafting at Shibnote, Paragliding at Lake View Resort Gatha, Hot air balloon at Jai Valley, Snow scooters, Snow Cycling, Snow Sledging, Snow Skiing, Snow trekking made the day of the tourists. The events have been instrumental in highlighting the local culture and tradition also. Various prizes were distributed amongst the winners, who took part in various competitions including football, wrestling competition, Snow Cricket etc.
The winter festival is being celebrated every year in the Bhaderwah Valley from last many years, and is one of the biggest annual events of the District’s tourism calendar. This year District Administration and Tourism Department had made special efforts to ensure that tourists coming here feel the experience never before in hospitality, facilities, and activities.
Snow from all the roads going to tourist places was removed, and telecommunications towers (networks) had been installed for better connectivity. Security arrangements, traffic management, availability of Hotels, Restaurants, Home stays and other logistics were ensured in advance.Pertinent to mention is that tourism department is working very hard to promote its recently launched Homestay policy along with identifying circuits with themes like adventure, recreation, pilgrimage etc. The offbeat destinations are being redefined as sustainable and viable for all visitors.
The two days Utsav was organised by District Administration Doda in collaboration with Tourism department, BDA, and Indian Army 4RR under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to expose the tourists to a confluence of Bhaderwahi and Doda’s ethnic arts, crafts, cuisines, and engage them in fun activities besides entertaining them with performances by various Celebrity Artists. Department of Art Culture and Languages Sub office Doda, Youth Services and Sports Department, Information & PR Department, participated actively and contributed in making the Utsav a grand success.
The Utsav was thrown open yesterday by Major General Ajay Kumar (VSM) GOC CIF(D) along with Deputy Commissioner Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan and in presence of Brig Samir K Palande Cdr. 9 Sector RR, Col. Rajat Parmar CO 4RR, Col Ankur Sharma CO 10RR, Col Nishant Sanwal Commandant CBS Bhalra, Principal GMC Doda Pooja Vimesh,Joint Director Tourism Sunaina Sharma Mehta,ADC Bhaderwah Chowdhary Dil Mir, ADC Doda Dr R K Bharti, DDT Publicity Abdul Jabbar and other dignitaries.