 EARLY TIMES REPORT
LEH, Jan 20: The annual Mamani Festival, a traditional food festival, was organized by Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation in Khardun Chiktan. The event was held in collaboration with Voluntary Education and Utilization Society (Venus), Khardun Chiktan. This year the celebration was special as it was held at the base of Chiktan's historic and famous Razi Khar.
Members of Muslim and Buddhist community from eight villages in Hagnis Hill Council Constituency of Shakar-Chiktan Block participated in the festival. Collectively they presented 35 traditional dishes including Thugpa, Popot (grain soup), Hrtsrap Khur (yeast bread), Markhur, Azoq (Skinn and Kabchey) (Puri), Poli (pancakes made with buckwheat), curd, Suggoo (Kash or Pachae), Gangtur etc.
Former Executive Councillor and Councillor from Chiktan, Mohsin Ali was the chief guest for festival. In addition, famous scholar, poet and nature enthusiast, Bashir Ahmad Wafa was the special guest at the celebration.
Since the revival of this traditional festival, each year a competition is held as part of the Mamani celebration. The dishes are judged on their taste, presentation and varieties. In 2021, the stall of Kukshow village won the first prize, followed by Khardun B and Chiktan-Lungba won the third prize. They were presented a cash prize of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively along with a certificate of appreciation.
At the conclusion of the celebration, Mohsin Ali presented a shawl and certificate of appreciation to famous scholar, poet and nature-lover, Bashir Ahmad Wafa in recognition of his efforts to revive and conserve Ladakh's cultural heritage. |
