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Ladakh
festival begins
JLeh
(Jammu and Kashmir): The 15-day long Ladakh cultural
extravaganza began with a procession of resplendently
attired artists from various regions of Ladakh, including
Changpa, Nubrapa, Balti and Barokpa, through the streets
of Leh. Started in 1993, the festival used to be held
in June and July, but was shifted in order to attract
the tourists to the lean season. Ladakhi people, decked
up in gold and silver ornaments and turquoise headgears,
thronged the streets alongwith their horses, yaks
and double-humped camels. Buddhist artists performed
mask dances. Officials said that this year's festival
has attracted a record number of foreign and domestic
tourists. "This year, around 42,000 tourists have
visited Ladakh so far. At least 27,000 visited last
year. Thus, there is an increase of 15,000 tourists,"
said Farooq Ahmed Shah, the Director of Kashmir Tourism.
The State tourism department expects around 70,000
tourists to visit Leh by end of the year. The department
plans to construct more hotels and lodgings to boost
tourism in the region further. Leh is the ancient
royal capital and currently serves as the headquarters
of the Ladakh region. Situated at a height of 11,500
feet, it offers a unique ambience for the hosting
of festivals against the backdrop of stark mountains.
- September 3, 2007
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