Kalasha Dur Museum, Where Time Stands Still

APP

Chitral: Nestled in the stunning Bamborait Valley, the Kalasha Dur Museum is a beacon for tourists and enthusiasts of archaeology.

Situated amidst the captivating landscape of the Bamborait Valley and the Trich Mir mountain peak, the museum’s distinct architecture and collection of rare artifacts and Gandhara Civilization statues draw visitors from far and wide.The museum’s charm is enhanced by its unique location against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, offering visitors a truly enchanting experience in the Hindukash mountain range.

Former Conservator of Forest Gulzar Rehman expressed his admiration for Chitral as a tourist destination, citing its rich cultural diversity, archaeological significance, and adventure sports. He specifically highlighted the Kalasha Museum as a standout attraction in Chitral.

He said such unique treasures need to be promoted through digital technology to attract archaeology lovers from around the world, besides bolstering the economies of Chitral, Dir, and other districts of the Malakand division.

Rehman said that Madaklast and Bomborait were beautiful valleys of Chitral, awaiting the KP government’s patronage to build its infrastructure imperative to promote archaeology, ecotourism, and adventure sports in Chitral district.

 Bakhtzada Khan, a senior research officer at the archaeology department, emphasized the unique significance of the Kalasha Museum and the Madaklasht Valley, both in terms of tourism and cultural heritage. He highlighted the museum’s establishment in 2001, known as the Bamborate Museum, which was completed in 2005. The museum showcases approximately 1300 ethnographic artifacts representing the Kalasha tradition and broader Hindu Kush culture.

The museum building consists of two floors. The ground floor exhibits ethnographic collections from the Kalasha culture and the wider Hindukush region, while the upper floor accommodates a school dedicated to Kalasha culture, a library housing valley-written books, and a hall for training in local crafts.

Bakhtzada Khan traced the roots of Kalash culture back to the 18th century when a group of people migrated from northern parts of the subcontinent to Chitral for trade, eventually settling in Kalash and Madakasht.

He highlighted the opportunity for visitors staying at Madaklasht to explore the three famous Kalasha valleys of Bamburet (Mumuret), Rumbur, and Biriu (Birir), which offer serene landscapes and unique cultural experiences.

Bakhtzada Khan also emphasized the distinctiveness of Kalash culture, particularly their tradition of selecting life partners during festive celebrations, which attracts tourists from both within Pakistan and abroad.

Furthermore, he suggested that the Madaklasht and Kalash valleys possess untapped potential as winter sports destinations due to their trekking and snowfall opportunities.

However, he underscored the need for improved road infrastructure and increased digital and social media promotion to showcase the natural beauty of these areas and boost rural economies through adventure tourism.

He proposed leveraging platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, along with digital media tools, to disseminate small videos promoting the tourism potential of these hidden treasures.

Lastly, Bakhtzada Khan mentioned the potential impact of the proposed Kumrat-Madaklasht cable car project, suggesting that its construction could transform Chitral into a tourism hub and attract direct foreign investment.

The feature report is released by APP. All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer as well as the organization.