The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, J&KAACL and District Administration, Jammu today organized mega cultural extravaganza at Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex, as a part of 'My Town My Pride' programme currently underway in J&K UT.The event is a part of weekend cultural festival series started at Mubarak Mandi in an attempt to promote the heritage site of Mubarak Mandi and the old city area.
The Festival kick started with local Dogri dance ‘Geetru’ and various mesmerising performances by artists from all over Jammu region depicting the beautiful rainbow of cultural diversity of the region.
The ethnic cuisines, cultural performances, local craft show at Handloom/Handicraft, Floriculture/Horticulture/Agriculture stalls on the venue engaged the visitors and mesmerised the audiences with indigenous culture and other engaging activities during the Jashn-e-Dogra virasat Celebrations.
The event was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, who appreciated the efforts of Directorate of Tourism Jammu in organizing such events in the Jammu city especially at Mubarak Mandi.
He emphasized on the need to organize more cultural events and also adventure activities with special focus on the 'Offbeat Tourist Destinations' of Jammu region. He directed the Tourism Department to give wide publicity to 'Jashn-e-Dogra Virasat' weekend series starting today at Mubarak Mandi so that the tourists visiting Katra and other tourist destinations can participate in such events and visit Mubarak Mandi Palace complex.
Director Tourism Jammu, Vivekanand Rai, Executive Director Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, Deepika Sharma, Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Deputy Director Tourism Jammu, Abdul Jabbar, Accounts Officer DTJ, Puja Gupta among other officers and officials of Tourism Department, JKAACL, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society and prominent members of travel trade associations and fraternity from Jammu District were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Vivekananda Rai said that the Directorate of Tourism Jammu shall organise more events in Jammu in the coming weeks with special focus on promotion of heritage and cultural richness of Jammu division.The main highlight of the event was the spellbound facade lighting which beautifully illuminated the Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex and was immensely appreciated by the visitors.
The festival started with a reverence to the great Dogra Heritage followed by an open Mike performance by INFOBUG, Dogri Folk Dances, Tagline Competition, Local Celebrity Performances, Food and Departmental stalls amongst other engaging performances by local artists.
The other attractions included live Singing performances, engaging Dogra Dance presentations which were received with enthusiastic applause from audiences. A Digital LED displaying the tourist destinations of Jammu region, was also installed on the venue by the Tourism Department.