The 6th Cosmos Flower Festival began at Naamai Zho valley in Koide village, Manipur, on Saturday, with nearly five acres of land along the Barak River covered in cosmos flowers of pink, crimson, orange, white, maroon and yellow
DIMAPUR — The 6th Cosmos Flower Festival began at Naamai Zho valley in Koide village, Manipur, on Saturday, with nearly five acres of land along the Barak River covered in cosmos flowers of pink, crimson, orange, white, maroon and yellow.
The 23-day festival, organised by the Naamai Eco-Tourism Society (NETS) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, and the 16th Assam Rifles, will continue until October 25.
According to an update, the event promotes community-led conservation and eco-tourism in the region.
The festival was inaugurated by Th Rapei, village chief of Koide Makha, and Thaile Timothy, village chief of Koide Mathak, who attended as chief celebrants.
Members of the Village Authority Council of Koide villages participated as co-celebrants.
The Naamai Zho valley, located in Senapati district, presents a mix of cosmos blooms, ripening paddy fields and river sedge along the Barak River during the autumn season.
The festival also offers eco-camping facilities and local food stalls featuring traditional Poumai Naga cuisine.
The festival originated during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when members of the Koide Women Society planted cosmos seeds along a barren stretch of riverside land.
The initiative led to the first official festival in 2021 and has since developed into an annual eco-tourism event. According to the organisers, the festival now attracts more than 15,000 visitors from India and abroad.
This year's programme includes sports, fitness, cultural activities and music events.
The third Men's Open Cosmos Volleyball Championship will be held as part of the festival, bringing teams from across the region to compete in the valley.
On October 17 and 18, the festival will host the 'Cosmos Fit' programme in collaboration with the HillFit Adventure Club.
It will include a Run for Peace Half Marathon and other fitness activities. Nagaland-based bodybuilder Kenny Soru will conduct outdoor workouts and interactive fitness sessions.
An Indigenous Brewery Contest will be held on October 24, featuring traditional rice beer brewers from the Poumai Naga community.
The contest is intended to promote research, preservation and entrepreneurship associated with indigenous brewing traditions. Participants will be assessed by experts on traditional methods, formulations and preparation.
The festival will conclude on October 25 with the 'Musika Cosmos Grand Finale', a music event focused on communal harmony.
Kohima-based retro rock band Old School Nagaland will headline the concert.
The organisers said the festival aims to provide visitors with an opportunity to experience the region's natural landscape, traditional food, cultural practices and community-based eco-tourism.