Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: With the effective leadership of Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner Secretary of the Tourism Department, the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, hosted vibrant Lohri celebrations at the historic Raghunath Bazaar and Kala Kendra, showcasing the rich cultural legacy and traditions of the region.
The events, organized in partnership with the District Administration Jammu and the Raghunath Bazaar Businessmen Association, saw enthusiastic involvement from both local residents and visitors.
The celebrations began at Raghunath Bazaar with the ceremonial lighting of a traditional lamp by MLA Jammu East, Yudhvir Sethi, alongside Director Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta, and Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Sunaina Sharma Mehta.
While addressing the crowd, the MLA emphasized Lohri’s importance as a festival of unity, appreciation, and cultural pride. He stated, “Lohri represents the essence of togetherness and the cultural heritage of our region. Events like this help in preserving our traditions while positioning Jammu as a cultural tourism hotspot.”
Director of Tourism Jammu, Vikas Gupta, highlighted the crucial role of cultural festivals in enhancing tourism. He remarked, “Lohri illustrates the inclusive and diverse characteristics of Jammu’s culture. Such initiatives create lasting impressions on visitors and instill pride in our traditions. The Tourism Department aims to establish Jammu as a premier cultural tourism destination.”
Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Sunaina Sharma Mehta, remarked that the Saptak Group, composed of talented local artists, was given a platform to display their remarkable cultural skills and talents. Their soulful Dogri songs, enriched with traditional instrumentation and cultural insights, significantly enhanced the celebrations, resonating with the audience and uplifting the festive ambiance.
Present at the event were Vivek Shekhar, S.P. North; Savita Chouhan, Dy. Director Tourism (Publicity); Sugandhi Banotra, ADT Jammu; Devender Bandral, D.S.P. City; Ashok Sharma, Secretary Dharmarth Trust; Arun Gupta, President, Chamber of Commerce; Rajesh Gupta, Treasurer, Chamber of Commerce; Amit Gupta, Sr. VP, Chamber of Commerce; Rajeev Gupta, Jr. VP, Chamber of Commerce; Rajesh Gupta, President, Tourism Federation Jammu; Raman Suri, Social Activist; along with members of the Raghunath Bazaar Association including Sanjay Gupta, President; Amit Goel, General Secretary; Sanjay Sethi, Sr. Vice President; Nitin Gupta, Secretary; Mohit Gupta, Joint Secretary; and Ankush Sethi, Treasurer.
In addition, the Lohri festivities were also held at Kala Kendra, Jammu, featuring engaging cultural performances. Attendees enjoyed authentic Dogri cuisine, providing a genuine taste of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
