The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland attracted a record 2,43,214 visitors this year, a sharp climb compared to the previous years, a government official said.
Toka E. Tuccumi, an officer with the Department of Tourism, said a total of 2,43,214 visitors, including 2,401 foreign tourists, 38,700 domestic and 2,02,113 locals enjoyed the festival during the 10 days. The number of visitors this year was higher than last year’s total of 1,12,604 visitors by 1,30,610, he said.
10 days of festivities
The 10-day festival, which is the annual showpiece tourism event of the State, was inaugurated on December 1 — coinciding with the 54th Statehood Day celebrations — by President Ram Nath Kovind.
The festival concluded at the picturesque Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, on Sunday amid mega bonfires and the tunes of Naga war cry and beats of traditional log drums reverberating in the background.
The massive turnout at the festival provided the visitors ample opportunity to take prized photos and getting a lowdown on some of the Naga cultural dances during the “Unity Dance” performed by the 17 tribes of the State.
Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya said, “The Hornbill festival is designed in such a manner that it coincides with Statehood Day celebrations, which gives an opportunity to all the Naga tribes to converge on one location to showcase the best of their tribal costumes, songs and dance.”
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor of Odisha S.C. Jamir, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig. (retd) B.D. Mishra, Manipur CM N. Biren Singh, Arunachal CM Pema Khandu and Director General of Assam Rifles Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan were among the several dignitaries gracing the festival.
