Nagaland: Over 1.17 lakh visitors throng the 23rd Hornbill Festival

Huge Crowd in 23rd Hornbill Festival

Dimapur: The 23rd Hornbill Festival concluded on Saturday night at the main arena, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, near Kohima, Nagaland, with 1,17,753 tourists and pilgrims attending the 10-day “Festival of Festivals”. .

After the pandemic, the hornbill festival recorded a huge number of pilgrims and tourists alike – Khehovi Yeputhomi, Advisor, Department of Tourism and Arts and Culture, Nagaland said.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chef Gary Mehigan, author, restaurateur and one of the original judges of Master Chef Australia, lit the Hornbill bonfire at the festival’s closing ceremony.

A unity dance representing the Naga tribes marked the closing ceremony. A cultural presentation “Made in Nagaland” was also presented on the occasion.

Events like Naga Chef Season 9, HIPFEST, Chicken Coop Making Competition, Naga Thali Eating Competition, Catapult Target Competition, Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables and Spices Competition, first time Kisama Art Gallery etc. were organized during the festival.

In addition, traditional Naga bamboo sliver and mat making, traditional wood carving, and live demonstrations of artists working on their craft were held to give the audience a first-hand experience of the Naga way of life.This year, the festival witnessed cultural performances from various cultural groups from Nagaland and outside.

Addressing the gathering, Nagaland Chief Minister Nephew Reo thanked the people of the state, cultural groups and artistes who came from all parts of the state, and thanked the tourists and pilgrims for their valuable presence during the festival. .

He requested tourists and pilgrims to become ambassadors of the unique Naga experience so that more people can experience the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland in the years to come.

Congratulating the people at the closing ceremony, Supreme Court Judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that Nagas are not only known for their bravery but also for their hospitality and warmth which they have extended to Nagaland. Experienced during

Describing Nagaland as the “Land of Festivals”, he hoped that the Hornbill Festival would bring together people from all over the world and create a sense of unity in diversity.

Justice Kaul, who was accompanied by his wife, described the traditional laws and traditions of the Nagas as unique, protected under the Constitution of India.

As Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority, he assured the people of Nagaland that access to justice would be provided to all.