Famed as one of the best cultural extravaganza, the Hornbill Festival is a paragon event of Nagaland in India. Amid the festival, the venue becomes an extreme hotspot for visitors from everywhere and soak in the thrill and zest. The celebration features a variety of ethnic activities such as folk music, tempting food, tantalizing rice beer, exquisite handicrafts, and many other indigenous attractions. If you are one of the highbrows hunting for such exposure, the Hornbill Festival will certainly satisfy your experiences. Get a unique encounter at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland this 2023 December.
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About Hornbill Festival
The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is an annual event held during the first ten days of December. Celebrated with pomp and grandeur, the different Naga tribes of the state collectively showcase their rich culture and heritage. The State Tourism and Art & Cultural Department of Nagaland takes the prompt initiative to organize this mega festival. The event is an exposure to various cultural activities such as food and drinks, indigenous games and sports, handicrafts and hand-looms, art and music and many others. In recent years, the Hornbill Festival has gained momentum among people across the country and worldwide.
History of Hornbill Festival in Nagaland
Agriculture greatly influence the lifestyles of almost every tribe in Nagaland and part of the Northeastern region in India. Every celebration and event eventually revolves around agriculture and the whole community takes part in it. They also consider their festivals sacred and observe them essentially. During the jubilation, tribes adorn themselves, their houses, and their villages. They also prepare exquisite food and drink items and observe a grand feast.
To promote such substantial traditions in Nagaland, the state government initiated the Hornbill Festival which was initially celebrated in 2000 in Kisama Heritage Village. Ever since, it is celebrated annually and apparently, Kisama Heritage Village becomes the Hornbill Festival venue. The Festival is a collective celebration of ethnic tribes in Nagaland and the festival is often called the “Festival of Festivals”.
The Hornbill bird is a preeminent avi-fauna species found abundantly in Nagaland and has great significance in most tribes. The Festival is named after this great bird and one can often find mentions in their folktales and myth.
The 2023 Hornbill Festival
The Hornbill Festival 2023 at Nagaland is all set to take place with much-anticipated thought and in high spirits. As usual, the event will commence on 1st December and ends on 10th December. Travelers confident to attend the flamboyant celebration can check out the estimated schedule.
- 9:00 am: At this time, the festival is officially open for the public. People can witness the glory of the Hornbill Festival in the morning hours.
- Noon: After scouting the wholesome morning events, spectators can walk through the variety of food stalls for a lunch break. You will not believe your eyes how amazing the food displays are and cannot help yourself drooling over the food they serve you.
- 2:00 pm: Visitors can explore the arena where various stores exhibit the most attractive items you are confused to choose. At this time talent hunts and other unique activities are held.
- 5:00 pm: The most awaited time is this. The spot will receive a massive crowd to witness the awaited Hornbill National Concert. It is also when visitors will indulge in the local rice beer and appetizing Naga snacks.
Liamtra – The Official Accommodation Partner Of Hornbill Festival
With the agreement signed with the Tourism Department of Nagaland as the Official Accommodation Partner for the Hornbill Festival 2023, Liamtra is all out bracing up for this exciting event. Arrays of accommodation options for festival-goers are prepared and assembled to enhance the spirit of the festival. Visitors planning to witness this festival can start booking their slots for the weeklong celebration so as to avoid rush and chaos at the last minute.
For Accommodation during Hornbill festival 2023, Contact us on whatsapp +91 9311447461
Signature Experiences
The Hornbill Festival is a mixed bag of activities and wonders that electrify your soul while also you will learn various keynotes of the festivals. Portraying arrays of cultural activities, dances, and performances, the week-long celebration at the Hornbill Festival will never fail to entice you. Check out some of the signature experiences you can look forward to.
- Art Exhibition. – Stalls in the venue will display various paintings, wood carvings, handcrafts, ornaments, clothes, sculptures and many others. Visitors can not only admire but also buy those enticing items for souvenirs or personal use.
- Games, activities and cultural events. – The festival is all about participation, therefore visitors can indulge in various assorted games and activities. They can also watch indigenous games & sports, cultural dances and music performances. while also exploring the delectable food and drinks you cannot resist.
- Hornbill Night. – The ‘Hornbill Night’ is the pinnacle of the festival, where all the tribes gather to sing and dance around a bonfire. The festival serves as an occasion for celebration, introspection, and offering prayers for a bountiful year ahead. It is also a time when individuals put aside their divergences and unify as a single community, making it a truly momentous and unifying experience.
Also read: Things To do In Nagaland
Date, Timing & Venue
The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland has become a yearly tradition which often takes place during the first 10 days of December. The venue opens at 9:00 am every day and closes at 10:30 pm during these 10 days of merry celebration.
The festival takes place at different locations in the state but the hosting venue remains in Kisama Heritage Village.
Entry Fee
Every visitor has to purchase a ticket to access entry to the event. A per-day ticket is available for 20 and 30 INR with an additional charge of 50 INR for cameras.
If you are an international visitor, you must first register yourself at the Foreigners Registration Office. As for domestic visitors, you should get an Inner-Line Permit from the local government.
How To Reach the Venue of the Hornbill Festival?
The 2023 Hornbill Festival in Nagaland will take place at the usual venue at Kisama Village, Kohima. Anyone planning to witness the heart-throbbing event can reach the destination following the different travel options.
How To reach Hornbill Festival By Air
Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland operates a domestic airport that connects other major airports in the country. Tourists can fly to Dimapur from cities in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and others. Upon reaching the airport, one must take the road to Kohima or Kisama.
How to reach the Hornbill Venue by Train
The nearest railway station is also in Dimapur. As you exit the station there will be a lot of taxis and cabs waiting and calling you out to go to Kohima. Hire or choose one to reach Kohima or straight to the Destination if you have prebooked an accommodation.
How to reach by Road
Cities like Guwahati, Tezpur, Shillong, Imphal, Kolkata and Dimapur connect the Hornbill Venue. If you love road trips and enjoy the scenic view along the way, hit the road from these cities. The nearest city is Dimapur which is 76 km away and Kolkata is the farthest city covering a distance of 1300 km among the mentioned cities.
Visitors can also take the road from Imphal after attending the Sangai Festival which usually takes place in the last week of November. It takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive to Kohima or Kisama, the main Hornbill Festival Venue.
Inner Line Permit
Take a serious note that tourists and visitors not from Northeast India should get themselves an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Nagaland or any other states in Northeast. Here is how you can apply for the ILP.
Visitors can get this permit from the Office of Deputy Resident Commissioner in Guwahati, Shillong, Delhi, and Kolkata. However, one can also get an “on-arrival” ILP from the DC office of Dimapur, usually advisable to collect it in the morning. You are good to go once the ILP is issued and you can enjoy your time at Kohima for the Hornbill Festival.
Where To Stay During the Hornbill Festival In Nagaland?
Kohima, the capital town is the closest vicinity to Kisama Heritage Village with an abundance of unique homes, home-stays and hotels. Liamtra Unique Homes offer a wide range of homestays in Kohima and Kisama for great deals, especially during the Hornbill Festival season. Start looking out for stays in Kohima and Kisama to avoid hustles at the near hour of the festivals.
Also Read: 8 Blissful Homestays in Kohima: The Green Utopia
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