Jammu 3 January (KNB): The three-day Gondola Festival organised by Directorate of Tourism Jammu, in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation concluded today amid festivities.
A statement issued to Kashmir News Bureau said that the three-day “Jammu Gondola festival” which started on January 1, 2021 was organised to popularize/showcase the Gondola facility connecting Bagh-e-Bahu with Mahamaya and Peer Kho.
Statement read, “While the first phase connecting Bagh-e-Bahu to Mahamaya has been made functional, the second phase from Mahamaya to Peer Kho is in its final stage.”
Officials stated that the much-awaited facility in Jammu has given a big boost to the pilgrim and adventure tourism in the City of Temples. The Ropeway project has become a major attraction for the tourists visiting Jammu region as the visitors can now experience gondola rides within the city of temples.
“Keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic, the J&K Cable Car Corporation has followed all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Government to ensure that the tourists/visitors have a safe and memorable ride experience in the lap of picturesque view of Jammu City, Tawi river and Mahamaya forests,” the statement read.
It stated that the last day of the maiden Gandola Festival witnessed cultural festivities and showcasing of local art, ethnic food, handicraft and handloom products.
“The concluding ceremony was attended by Secretary Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez, along with Director Tourism, Jammu, R. K. Katoch,” the statement said.
“Cultural performances by the artists included Dogri, Gojri, Pahari dance performances along with the popular street HARAN play and the departmental stalls of Horticulture, Handloom, Handicrafts, JKTDC etc. were also displayed, during the event which witnessed huge response from the tourists thronging the picturesque destination near Bahu forests,” officials said.
Pertinently, the three-day Jammu Gondola Festival coincided with the New Year Celebrations and the people of Jammu city welcomed the New Year with festivities and adventure of gondola rides, which shall be a major attraction for the pilgrims visiting the holy shrines of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji, Bawe-wali-Mata and Shiv Khori.
“The event was a confluence of local Dogri art, ethnic cuisines, cultural performances, painting exhibition and adventure in the sky by way of Gondola ride from Maha Maya Temple to Bahu Ropeway Station,” statement read, adding that the Gondola facility in Jammu is like a dream come true for the locals and visitors from outside the Union Territory.
As per the statement, around 500 tourists enjoyed the Gandola rides on each day during the 3-day festival.
“The Jammu Gondola Festival aimed to engage the tourists and showcase indigenous culture with other engaging activities during the celebrations,” officials said.
Officials further stated that the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in its endeavour intends to organise more such programs aimed towards tourism promotion in the coming days.
“This was the fifth event in the series being organised by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu at different destinations so as to create awareness among tourists,” stated the officials, adding that among others, the event was also attended by Assistant Director Tourism Katra, Ambika Bali along with other officers/officials of the Tourism Department, District Administration and J&K Cable Car Corporation Jammu. (KNB)