Tirthan river fest ends with pledge to preserve ecology

The picturesque Tirthan valley in Banjar subdivision of Kullu district resonated with chants, drum beats and a strong message of environmental stewardship on the concluding day of the two-day Tirthan River Festival held at Dehuri in Kalwari panchayat yesterday.

Hundreds of locals dressed in traditional attire gathered on the banks of the sacred Tirthan to participate in a solemn river worship ceremony on the final day of the festival. Accompanied by rhythmic drum beats and devotional chants, the ritual was a heartfelt tribute to the lifeline of the valley.

A spokesperson for the event said that the ceremony culminated in a collective pledge echoing across the valley. “We pledge to keep the sacred Tirthan river clean, refrain from polluting it and dedicate ourselves to its protection,” he added.

This symbolic commitment to ecological conservation was the spiritual and emotional high point of the festival, encapsulating its core message — to safeguard both culture and nature. The celebrations concluded with the vibrant Sate Dehuri Jaach Fair, marking the arrival of local deities Lomash Rishi and Lakshmi Narayan.

The festival had commenced on Sunday, coinciding with the annual Sate Dehuri Jaach celebration. The event was jointly organised by SAHARA, PHD, Adarsh Mahila Mandal Dehuri and other community stakeholders.

A major highlight was a workshop on “Sustainability of Tirthan Valley and River Conservation” held at the Great Himalayan National Park Complex, Sairopa. The session brought together environmental experts, local leaders, researchers and community representatives to discuss urgent issues such as river pollution, unregulated tourism and ecological degradation.

The speakers stressed the need to integrate indigenous ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices, creating a path for sustainable development that respects both tradition and nature. The first day cultural events included nati dance competitions, group song performances, eco-documentary screenings and art contests for the youth and children.

Local folk artistes like Rakesh Sharma, Kamlesh Saraji and Shaina Thakur delivered powerful performances centered around themes of environmental awareness and heritage revival.