Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands reflect the cosmopolitan culture of the region, attracting and engaging people from varied backgrounds. These festivals are celebrated in the mainland and cover maximum islands and tourist spotsin the archipelago.
Island Tourism Festival, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Island Tourism Festival is a grand occasion of exuberance, a 10-day annual cultural event held to promote tourism and entertainment for islanders. The major celebrations of the occasion are held at the capital Port Blair. The other small programmes as part of the festival are also organized in places like Wimberlygunj, Wandoor, Neil, Havelock, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hut Bay, Car Nicobar, Kamorta and Campbell Bay.
The celebration is inaugurated at the ITF Ground in Port Blair, graced by the Hon"ble Lt. Governor and telecast live on DD Bharati across India. The ITF Ground is vibrant with people from all walks of life and tourists. The highlight at this main venue is the exhibition depicting strides made by the Island Administration in different spheres, sale of general merchandise, exhibition of local handicrafts, food stalls, Floating Restaurant, displays of flora and fauna etc. The arresting event is the performance of artists which encompass reputed music bands, Bollywood singers, dancers, performers etc. Artists of East Zone and South Zone Cultural Centres are also invited by the Art & Culture department and they perform simultaneously in outlying islands. Hasya Kavi Sammelan is organized by the official language department of the Administration to delight the crowd. To accommodate a crowd that throngs up for these shows, alternate venues are set up at the Netaji Stadium in Port Blair. Puppet shows and water sports competitions are the other attractions of this festival.
Chowra Pilgrimage, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Chowra Pilgrimage is a ceremonial trip taken annually by the people of Car Nicobar to the Chowra Island in the Nicobar group, during the fair season from December to April. The people of Car Nicobar tour to Chowra to acquire canoes and earthen pots in exchange for rice, cloth, knives, tobacco, pigs, yams and other fruits. This exchange of goods is made less in the spirit of calculated business and more as presents from each other in accordance with the traditional ties between the two islands.
Beach Festival, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Beach Festival is a 3-day festival held in April, initiated by the Tourism department for beach lovers, with activities like beach volleyball, tug of war, kabaddi etc.
Subhash Mela and Vivekananda Mela, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Subhash Mela and Vivekananda Mela are celebrated in January every year, commemorating the birth anniversaries of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, in a 7-day festival, and Swami Vivekananda, held at Neil Island.
