Spring Festivals
In Pakistan, the people have a penchant for fairs, festivities and good food. When winter yields to moderate and pleasant spring season about to start around the middle of February , the flower blossoms and abundance of greenery creates a fascinating and enchanting environment. The mild weather coupled with the I enchanting environment makes the people spellbound, who are overtaken by a festive mood and celebrate the advent of spring by organizing fairs, mostly in open spaces.
The spring festivities are a tradition, which has been practiced in this part of the world since ages. These festivities are characterized by folk dances, arts and crafts exhibitions, musical evenings, parade of floats, costume shows, kite flying competitions and food festivals, which are held in the main urban and rural centres allover the country
Lahore -the capital of Punjab Province and the second largest city of Pakistan -becomes a heaven for tourists. Both local and foreign tourists throng the provincial metropolis because of its beautiful gardens, exquisite fountains, hot and delicious cuisine, rich heritage of art and music and above all, friendly and hospitable people. The Lahorites do not lag behind. They too invite friends, relatives and tourists - both local and foreign -to join them in spring festivities, which commence after the first week of February and continue till the end of March
JASHEN BAHARAN
The highlight of these festivities s Jashen Baharan (The spring festival), which is popularly called Basant festival. This festival is being traditionally celebrated, since ages, to welcome the spring. However, it has, over the years, become a major tourist attraction. People from various walks of life, including diplomats, artists and celebrities, throng to Lahore from allover the country to be a part of this unique national event.
The entire community enthusiastically participates in kite flying competition, making Lahore skies, throughout day and night, resplendent with kites of various types, sizes and colours. These kites lend Lahore skies, during that period, the look of a big lake on whose surface can be seen floating innumerable giant size flower petals -nay water fowls of various sizes and colours.
Night time kite flying, accompanied by loud tempting music and fire-works, is also gaining in popularity because of the spectacular sight that it presents. One can see hundreds of white colour kites dancing at night on a well-lit sky and competing for supremacy. The winners in the kite flying competitions rejoice by beating drums.
On this occasion, people generally like to dress in yellow -the event's main colour depicting blossoming spring. However, some persons use only yellow scarves.
Basant is not only a kite flying event, but also a cultural festival of traditional food, costumes, arts, crafts, dance and music. The rich host family and friends celebrate the event with a lavish meal. Corporate hospitality is also visible and the trend among companies to host their guests, on this occasion, is on the increase,
The festival has gained world- wide popularity as a cultural festival of Pakistan and has, over the years, become a great tourist attraction. Though the tradition to celebrate this festival is very old, the scale at which its impact has now grown is comparatively new
National Horse & Cattle Show
Another prominent feature of the spring festival is National Horse and Cattle Show. It is one of the biggest cultural events of Pakistan, which is held in Lahore, on the onset of spring season. Some 2,000 animals including Pakistan's top-class horses, mules, cattle, buffaloes, camels, sheep and goats; and around 3,500 poultry birds are showcased at this annual event. On this occasion, teams from across the country participate in tent pegging, folk dances, band displays and tattoo shows. Horse and camel dances are also arranged on the occasion
The first Horse and Cattle Show was held in 1954 and since then the show has progressed gradually. The week-long show started, this year, from February 15. Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf, in a message on the occasion, stated
The National Horse and Cattle Show, which is epitomized by the glory , chivalry and grit of the past alongside the fruits of modernization and industry , would encourage farmers in raising the standard of horse and cattle breeding and also help promote unity, cohesion and healthy competition. Held in the splendour of Lahore spring, the timing of the Show makes it even more attractive, he added. Prime Minister, Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali, in his message, noted that the Show symbolized the ethos of our people, who were largely agriculturists
Shandur Polo Festival
Held once a year during the months of July it is one of the most outstanding festivals that are held on Pakistan's North - The Shandur Polo Festival.The polo ground placed in Shandur (Chitral) is the highest polo ground in the world and visitors spend a whole week watching exciting polo matches with traditional music.A whole new world is built at Shandur before the event. Visitors take the advantage of having a breath-taking view of Shandur with its beautiful lush green mountains and not to forget its pure water lake.The festival provides visitors with the thrilling excitement of polo in its true form. Its true form means no rules and regulations, plus the traditional music played throughout each match. Alongwith polo, you will find hundreds of local and foreign tourists. The archrival teams of Gilgit and Chitral fight for the trophy. As hundreds of spectators watch the two teams take on each other
