Anthurium Festival is being organised in Mizoram after a gap of three years, with the three-day programme combining floriculture, adventure, and indigenous culture and music events, officials said.
This festival serves a dual purpose, a celebration of the enchanting anthurium flower and a heartfelt invitation to explore Mizoram’s natural treasures.
Organised by the state Tourism Department in association with the Horticulture Department, the festival, which is being held at Reiek and nearby Ailawng in Mamit district from October 1 to 3, seeks to showcase anthurium cultivation, besides the state’s hilly landscapes, traditional games, local cuisine, handicrafts and community-based tourism.
Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said the festival is part of the state government’s broader vision of promoting tourism while ensuring that local communities benefit from the sector.
“Tourism must create value not only for destinations, but also for the people who make those destinations special,” Hmar said, adding that the festival brings together horticulture, landscapes, culture and communities in a single experience.
The festival’s roots are deeply entwined with the cultivation of anthurium flowers in Mizoram. It began as an initiative to empower local women, offering them financial independence through the cultivation of these exquisite blossoms. The dedicated efforts bore fruit, transforming the state into a thriving hub for anthurium cultivation.
Besides flower shows, nursery visits and garden experiences, the festival offers trekking and cave exploration at destinations including Ngai Tlang, Ailawng Tlang, Reiek Tlang, Khuangchera Puk, Thawngpawnga Puk and Ngaitei Puk. The Reiek Tlang Sunrise Trek is also part of the programme.
Visitors can explore Reiek Heritage Village and nearby areas, while traditional Mizo games such as Insuknawr, Inbuan, Kalchhet and Insaihruipawh, along with Cheraw and other folk performances, traditional music and fashion shows, are being showcased.
Local cuisine, handloom and handicrafts, shooting competitions and children’s recreational activities are also part of the festival.
A Leikapui musical night featuring Mizo artistes is scheduled for October 2, followed by a closing concert on October 3.
Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar Flags Off Anthurium Festival to Boost Local Economy and Tourism
