The Chilem Joshi Festival in Kailash Chitral is a vibrant celebration of spring and cultural heritage, held by the Kalash people. This enchanting experience offers a rare glimpse into the lives and traditions of one of Pakistan’s most intriguing indigenous groups, making it a truly memorable journey. It typically occurs in May, marking the end...
Shandur Pass is a pass located in between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Shandur is a flat plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The Shandur Polo Festival is held in July every year for polo matches between the teams of Chitral District and Gilgit-Baltistan Province.
Azad Kashmir is known as paradise on earth with its beautiful valleys, rivers and mountains. the best thing about Kashmir is that it’s still heavily forested but unfortunately, it’s the least known area of northern Pakistan. Azad Jammu and Kashmir is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity and constitutes the western portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947. Geographically, the administrative territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (which excludes Gilgit-Baltistan) covers a total area of 13,297 km2 (5,134 sq mi) and has a total population of 4,045,366 as per the 2017 national census.
Chitral is a town situated on the Chitral River in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It serves as the capital of the Chitral District and likewise served as the capital of the Chitral princely state that encompassed the region until its direct incorporation into West Pakistan in 1969 The existence of Gandharan Grave Culture in Chitral, found in various grave sites scattered over its valleys indicate its proximity towards the Gandharan culture alongside giving insightful knowledge of its inhabitants between the Indus Valley civilization era and the following Persian rule. Chitral is also associated with the Iron Age tribes known as Daradas. The Darada country stretched from Chitral in the west to the Kisanganga valley in the north of Kashmir. The Daradas are said to have gone to war against Arjun according to the Hindu Epic Mahabharata Chitral is also attributed to be the seat of the ancient realm of Kamboja, which contains mentions in Hindu epics.
The Kalash Valley is a valley in Chitral District of northern Pakistan. The valley is surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range. The inhabitants of the valley are Kalash people, who have a unique culture, language and follow a form of ancient Hinduism. As such, the Kalash Valley is a source of attraction for Pakistani as well as International tourists. There are three main valleys.The largest and most populous valley is Bumburet (Mumuret), reached by a road from Ayun in the Kunar Valley. Rumbur is a side valley north of Bumburet. The third valley, Biriu (Birir), is a side valley of the Kunar Valley south of Bumburet. Kalash people are the smallest religious as well as the ethnic minority of Pakistan. Their customs and traditions are contradictory to the Islamic and Pakistani culture. The Kalash religion is polytheist faith similar to ancient forms of Hinduism and the people offer sacrifices for their gods.
