Manipur all set to celebrate Shirui Lily Festival

Our Correspondent

Imphal, April 22 (EMN): Manipur’s tourism establishment is all set to organise its second edition of the Shirui Lily Festival for 2018 from April 24 to the 28th at three major venues in Manipur’s Ukhrul district.

The inaugural ceremony of the five-day festival will be held at Shirui village ground. The closing function will be conducted at the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground in the district headquarters, 84 km northeast of Imphal. Shirock 2018, a musical festival featuring two international bands from the USA namely Steelheart and Queensrÿche, will be held at Bakshi ground.

The principal secretary for Tourism PK Singh said that the festival is sponsored by the department of Tourism, Manipur to spread awareness about conservation of the endangered Shirui Lily and to promote the district of Ukhrul as a tourist destination in Manipur. The festival is also being supported by NEC and aims to promote afforestation and sustainable tourism efforts in the state.

“For the first time, we’ve identified 1100 home-stays across 28 locations in and around the Ukhrul town to accommodate at least 3000 overnight travellers on a daily basis,” said Singh. “The idea is to promote home-stays as a way of creating a sustainable livelihood for the locals.”

Travellers looking for accommodation at Ukhrul during the festival should visit www.shirockfest.com/accommodation.php for bookings/reservations. “This time we’re expecting more 40,000 travellers during the festival,” recommended Singh.

The festival will showcase cultural performances by various cultural troupes from across the state, live music performances, exhibits, folk songs, traditional dances, and indigenous games and sports competitions like the Shirui Lily Grand Prix. Besides, other side events like camping, trekking, and other adventure activities.

Popular rock bands of the Northeast states numbering around 20 rock bands which were shortlisted for Shirock 2018 competition award, which has prize cash worth INR 10 lakh, will also performed during the fest.

“Permanent toilets blocks have been arranged at Bakshi and TNL grounds where the major events will be held during the festival this time,” the Singh added, “At the same time, elaborated traffic management plan has been made with several roads declared one-way besides making adequate parking sites in coordination with district administration.”

Six buses will operate to and fro between Imphal and Ukhrul town, on subsidised fares, during the festival. The buses will depart ISBT from 7:00 am till 9:30 am with an interval of 30 minutes between the departures of each bus. It shall then return to Imphal on the same day between 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.