Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Sept 20: Ladakh Festival 2017 began today at Leh with an inauguration ceremony which took place at historic Polo Ground here today.
Lt Gen SK Upadaya, who was the chief guest inaugurated the annual festival. Earlier, an impressive procession was taken out by various cultural troupes, polo team, double- humped camels and school students lead by Executive Councilors Dorjey Motup, Tsering Wangdus, Tsering Sandup and Mumtaz Hussain from Karzoo and the procession made its way through Leh markets in ceremonial costumes, singing and dancing to traditional orchestra tunes up to Polo Ground.
The Ladakh Festival is organised by the J&K Tourism Department, in association with local stakeholders, communities and district administration of Leh. The main aim of this festival is to revitalize and bestow a spectacle of Ladakh’s deep-rooted culture, traditions and heritage for the world to admire and enjoy. The festival provides a wonderful opportunity for the tourists to experience the culture and lifestyle of the people in Ladakh.
In the 4-day long celebrations, various events and programmes will held such as music concerts, mask dances, handicraft and food stall exhibition, archery competition, Polo matches, Ladakhi folk ensemble and traditional/contemporary painting exhibition.
Addressing the large gathering Lt Gen SK Upadaya said that Ladakh is a unique and wonderful place in India and has everything that one can possibly seek, look and inspire for and the well cultured and wonderful people of Ladakh who have preserved its rich cultural heritage and traditions since time immemorial has made this place more special in attracting thousands of tourists across the world. Applauding the scintillating and enthusiastic performance of artists representing every corner of region, Lt Gen Upadaya said that such performance in next three days will not only offer us a real window to the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh but will give a holistic experience of witnessing different culture and traditions of Ladakh.
Director Tourism Mahmood Ahmad Shah said that Ladakh since its opening in 1974 for tourists has seen continuous increase in the influx of tourists, as the arrival of tourist have pickup so as the infrastructure has come up. He said that Tourism Department has supported tourist sector through different schemes and programme in Leh. He disclosed that at present Rs 32 crore project under PMDP is going on in Leh including wayside facility along the Leh -Manali and Leh-Nubra roads.
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