Enchanting Dwijing festival calling tourists to Assam

Goa beaches are the most popular destinations among tourists in summer. In winter, what about Sunbathing on the banks of enchanting Aie river close to Manas National Park along Assam-Bhutan borders?

No just tents and camping on sandbars along the Aie river, the 12-day-long Dwijing festival to be organised by Assam tourism department from December 27 has lined up colourful cultural functions, ethnic food, adventure sports and Bollywood nights. Target is to make it an annual mega tourism event, attract tourists from outside and shed Assam's long 'militancy-hit' tag.

"Assam is very peaceful for the past many years and it is time to project our vast tourism potential to the visitors always in search of virgin spots, in the lap of nature. Tourists can Sunbathe on the banks of beautiful Aie river, enjoy jeep and elephant safari inside Manas National Park just about 11-km away, take a chopper ride, play kayak or paragliding amid the greenery and many more. Manas is home to Royal Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, hog deer and many more. The area is now totally peaceful but still, we have taken all steps to ensure safety and comfortable stay of the tourists," Assam tourism minister, Chandan Brahma said.

The festival venue is 7-km from NH-31 in eastern Assam's Chirang district, which falls under Bodoland Territorial Council, an autonomous council set up in 2003.

Apart from cultural troupes of the Northeast, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, many from Thailand, Bhutan and Bangladesh are also likely to take part. Wrestler Khali, Bollywood stars like Khailash Kher, Malaika Arora Khan, Himesh Reshamiya, Sweta Pandit, Neeraj Sridhar, among others will add spice to the winter festival.

"Online bookings for the tents and hotels will begin from tomorrow (Thursday)," said Jayanta Malla Baruah, chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation.