Tourists will miss the buzz around this year, which has been associated with the magical Hornbill Festival of Nagaland. The Nagaland government has decided to celebrate the popular Hornbill festival virtually this year, amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, the department of tourism said the annual festival would be observed over audio visual media channels and social media platforms this time, and people can enjoy the tribal dance performances sitting at home.
The content for the online programme will be sourced from government archives, it said.
Hornbill Festival, held every year from December 1 to 10, showcases the culture, heritage, food and customs of Naga tribes at Kisama village. Sixteen tribes come together to celebrate their traditions with colourful dance performances. Tourists from across the globe attend the 10-day gala.
With its stunning natural beauty and great cultural traditions, Nagaland can offer a rich fare to tourists. Its diverse tribal culture also make it a land of festivals. A narrow strip of mountainous territory with rugged hills, emerald valleys, sparkling streams and a rich variety of flora and fauna, the 16th State of the Indian Union has salubrious climate throughout the year.
It is bounded by Assam in the west, Myanmar in the east, Arunachal Pradesh in the north and Manipur in the south. Sometimes referred to as the `Switzerland of the East’, Nagaland represents unimaginable beauty, moulded perfectly for a breathtaking experience.
For the adventurous, the State is an ideal place for trekking and jungle camping and offers limitless possibilities for exploring its lush sub-tropical rainforests, which are a treasure trove of medicinal plants. The 20-lakh-strong Naga people, by nature, are fun lovers, and life in Nagaland is one long festival.