Tourism festival coming up in Sikkim

Gangtok, Mar 24: Rising above in tourism benchmark in the nation, Sikkim will be offering a mosaic of choices to the visitors this summer with three tourist festivals lined up in succession.

If handicrafts appeal to you, head for Rabongla. Want to spend some quality time in a famous tea garden, then its Temi Tarku for you. If you want to blend with Ramnavami celebrations with that typical local touch, then Aritar in East Sikkim is the destination for you.

'' The second Lampokhari Paryatan Mahotsav 2007, which is being organized from March 31 to April 2, will be another mega event of the state for the promotion of tourism in Sikkim, '' said Mr K.B.

Chamling, chief patron and area MLA.

'' The history of the Mahotsav dates back to the era of our forefathers who used to flock towards Rachela for leisure trips during Ramnavami. The idea of this Mahotsav is to follow the precedent and tradition set up by our forefathers. Ramnavami itself being an auspicious festival, the Mahotsav is also an idea to celebrate the festival collectively to maintain the unity in diversity of the state, '' he added.

Visitors will be spoilt for choices in this event with boating in Lampokhari, cultural presentations, tours to historic and exotic places and much more. A tryst with history is also offered with a car safari from Rhenock Aritar to Tshangu to enjoy the beauty of a portion of Jelep la pass (Old Silk route).

Visitors can also do short treks to Phusery lake, Pangolakha and Rachela, the historic tri-junction border of Sikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan. The destinations are home to Red panda, pheasant and other flora and fauna.

Last year's success of the festival has been attributed not only to the collective effort of the members of Aritar Dalapchand Lampokhari Development Society but also the huge public participation, the organizers said.

'' Aritar is not a new destination for the tourists neither it is unexplored, what needed is proper promotion so that it becomes a regular destination, '' they observed.

UNI