Dogra village at historic Mubarak Mandi pulls crowd as ‘Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav’ takes off

Jammu, Apr 14 (Representative) The Dogra village set up at historic Mubarak Mandi Complex remained the crowd puller as three days ‘Basoa Baisakhi Mahotsav’ took off here on Thursday. The gala event being organised under the guidance of Secretary Tourism, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar. The Directorate of Tourism Jammu in its major initiative highlighting the cultural vibrancy of Jammu region kick started its three days mega festival that shall be organized all across the Jammu Division and shall encompass all the components of the traditional dogra ethos like Dogra Cuisines, Display of local costumes, art/craft, handloom products, narration of local folklores and much more. Flagged off by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, from Maharaja Hari Singh Park, in presence of Director Tourism Jammu, Vivekanand Rai, Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Sunaina Sharma Mehta and ADC Jammu, Sandeep Seointra, a colourful carnival of ethnically dressed artists depicting a rich display of the great Dogra culture was taken out in which hundreds of people joined the mega walk from the venue to Mubarak MandiThe participants including officers of Tourism Department, prominent citizens of the area, beautifully decorated elephants, horses, camels, chariots and folk dancers were given warm welcome by local citizens of the old city by ways of showering petals, garlands etc.

At Mubarak Mandi a Dogra village and a dogra exhibit “Mere Desae Da Shalaepa” with live painting, live poetry, basohli painting, basohli shawl among other Dogra Art and Craft forms has been setup for three days for all visiting tourists and guests. Ramesh Kumar, congratulated the Department for creating an atmosphere reverberating with vigor and energy, folk songs/performances, dhol beats etc. in the entire Jammu province.Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism Jammu, Vivekananda Rai, briefed that the Baisakhi Mahotsav is being celebrated across Jammu Division. Special events are being organized at Gulabgarh-Paddar Kishtwar, Mansar, Dera Baba Banda Bahadur Reasi, Gurudwara Nangali SahibJi Poonch, Jia Pota Ghat Akhnoor, Maharaja Hari Singh Park Jammu and Mubarak Mandi Complex Jammu along with prominent chowks of Jammu city during the Mahostav. Joint Director Tourism, briefed that the main aim of organizing this festival was revival of Rich Dogra Culture, Heritage and Tradition. The Department has also made elaborate arrangements for showcasing 360 3D experiential videos of tourist destinations of Jammu Division i.e. Surinsar, Mansar and Bhaderwah for all visitors at Mubarak Mandi. The main highlights of inaugral event was Chariot Rides, Nukkad Nataks, Dhol Beating, Army Band, Mega Cultural evening at Mubarak Mandi etc.