Preparations in connection with the annual 'Jashan-e-Baharan' festival are in full swing in the provincial metropolis. Tourism Development Corporation Punjab and Ravi Town Lahore, in collaboration with Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA), are giving final touches to this unique event, which adds colour to the spring season and highlights the arts and crafts of the historical city of Lahore as well as rich cultural traditions of the Punjab province.

Lahore, the second largest city of Pakistan, is known as City of Gardens and is famous for its beautiful fountains, delicious food and rich heritage of fine arts and music. Lahore has a history of more than 1000 years and also enjoys the status of being the cultural capital of Punjab.

Historical buildings of Mughal and British era are a source of attraction for the tourists who visit Lahore from all over the world to join Lahoriites in their festivities on this occasion.

The main features of 'Jashan-e-Baharan' include the inauguration of handicrafts exhibition, Punjabi Dhamal and procession of Buggies from Delhi Gate, illumination on important places like Shahi Hamam, Masjid Wazir Khan, Sonehri Masjid, Kashmiri Bazar, Chowk Sowergen Singh, Pani Wala Talab, Shahi Mohallah and Roshni Gates. Mushaira at Hazuri Bagh, musical concerts at Tourist Street, Basant Night with dinner at Tourist Street and Delhi Gate are other important features of the festival.

The celebration of Basant on February 6, is also a part of Jashan-e-Baharan as people of Lahore have a passion for fairs and festivities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005