Orchid Festival blooms in Sikkim

Gangtok, Mar 30 (ANI): Sikkim is blooming these days with ongoing orchid flower festival 2009'.

The flower show commenced on March 21 at the exhibition center of Gangtok.

The flower show is already a hit with the visiting tourists as well as the resident, who are thronging the venue. The show is also drawing foreign tourists in droves.

"These flowers are just amazing and very beautiful. They are perfect. I just love them", said Marina, tourist from Moscow.

The efforts of the organizing committee for displaying many varieties of orchids under one roof is applaudable.

According to chairman of the organizing committee, ST Lachungpa, there are 200 species of wild orchids and 60 hybrid varieties kept in the exhibition.

The exhibition saw participation from Darjeeling, Mirik, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Sikkim.

"Sikkim flower show is being held since1963. The orchid flower festival started in a big way from 1980's. The main idea behind this show was to encourage people to grow orchids for commercial purposes", said ST Lachungpa.

The flower fest exhibits around 3000 orchids along with Clevia, Seneria, Primula, Primrose, Anthorium, Ezelia, and other seasonal flowers.

This time, there has been better participation from aspiring florists of Sikkim. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)