KATHMANDU: Indian food festival ‘Flavors of Kashmir’ kicked off at Hotel Aloft in Thamel, Kathmandu, Friday.

The festival was inaugurated by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and showcased authentic Kashmiri cuisine from India, with dishes being curated by Indian Celebrity Chef Sanjay Raina. The food festival will run till December 19 at Hotel Aloft in Thamel, Kathmandu.

Known throughout India and the world as ‘Paradise on Earth’, Kashmir is blessed not only with natural beauty, but also a heritage of divine cuisine. A widespread of delightful delicacies in the festival include Kashmiri Pulao, Rishta, Gushtaba, Tabakmoz, Lal chicken, Kebab, and Firni, among others.

The event was organized by Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of India’s independence.

It was also a curtain-raiser for a series of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Indian Food Festival in Nepal. Artists of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center also presented cultural performances showcasing Kashmir’s rich heritage during the inauguration yesterday.