Sarthal Valley celebrates first-ever winter festival in J&K

In Jammu and Kashmir, in a significant stride to promote tourism and highlight the scenic beauty of the region, the Kathua District Administration yesterday organized the first-ever Winter Festival at the breathtaking Sarthal Valley in the Bani Subdivision. 

The first-ever festival was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, amidst an electrifying atmosphere with over 3500 visitors gathered to celebrate the occasion. The festival showcased an array of engaging activities. The Marquee event ‘Bani Got Talent’ show received an overwhelming response with youngsters displaying their skills. 

The event provided a perfect platform for showcasing local talent and engaging the community. Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com expressed his admiration for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of such festivals in promoting lesser-explored tourist destinations like Sarthal Valley. 

He said, ‘The Winter Festival is not



just a celebration of culture and adventure but also a step towards realizing the immense tourism potential of this region. He said the UT Government aim to put Sarthal Valley on the map as a sought-after destination for nature and adventure lovers. He informed me that the Sarthal Winter Festival now on will be a calendar event which will gradually get larger in the coming years. He further disclosed that Bani is going to host the inaugural Summer Festival in Dhagger; another picturesque valley of Bani which ultimately will give a huge fillip in the tourist footfall of the region. 

The highlight of the festival was a spellbinding performance by internationally acclaimed singer Sonali Dogra, who captivated the audience with a soulful blend of Dogri Hindi, and  Punjabi folk songs. The mela also featured Paragliding, Snow skating, Volleyball and other sports activities besides the Sarthal Valley buzzing all day with a host of fun activities.