DARJEELING,: The second edition of Darjeeling Melo Tea Fest, slated to start on December 11 this year, promises to be a larger and more vibrant celebration with an extended array of performances, competitions and community-centric activities.
Previously organised solely by Darjeeling Police, this year, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has joined forces to make the fest a grander affair.
Announcing the fest today, Darjeeling SP Praween Prakash said, “This time around, the program duration from three to five days. The goal is to encourage tourists to stay longer and indulge in a wide range of activities.”
The extension to five days comes in response to public demand and to give tourists more opportunities to engage with the culture and traditions of the Hills, said Prakash. Last year's edition included cultural programmes, a band competition, traditional fashion show, food and craft exhibitions, photo exhibition and a marathon. This year, more activities are being added.
GTA Tourism Sabhasad Norden Sherpa, who was present at the announcement, revealed that the GTA’s annually winter fest held in December has been cancelled in favour of the joint Melo Tea Fest. “This year, we have cancelled the winter fest and instead decided to hold a combined event with the Darjeeling Police and make it grander. The idea here is not only to promote tourism but also to ensure participation of more locals so they can benefit from the event,” he said.
This year's festival will see some acclaimed bands take the stage at Chowrasta. Mantra, the famous Nepali rock band from Darjeeling, will open the festival, while other performers include Kutumba, a Nepali fusion band from Nepal, and About Us, a rock band from Nagaland. The closing act will be headlined by Girish and The Chronicles. The fest’s band competition will offer categories like Western Rock, Nepali Rock and solo music with a prize pool of Rs. 19 lakhs. An all-women band performance is also on the line-up.
New additions to the festival include the introduction of three tourism circuits aimed at promoting outdoor and cultural activities. The adventure circuit will focus on paragliding, river rafting, rock climbing, trekking and hiking, with 13 different hikes in Darjeeling and Kalimpong planned in collaboration with local youth and GTA Tourism.
The bird watching circuit will explore areas like Latpanchar, Singalila and Sittong, promoting eco-tourism through a network of guides, homestays and local taxi services. Additionally, the festival will highlight village cultural tourism where tourists can experience ethnic traditions by staying with local communities in Takdah and Teesta Valley, enjoying smaller festivals focused on orchids, tea and oranges.
The festival will also introduce a short film competition, showcasing the talents of local filmmakers.
The event will culminate with the 11th edition of the Darjeeling Hill Marathon on December 22. The marathon, with a prize pool of Rs. 29.8 lakhs, has become a major draw over the years, attracting athletes from across the country.