DIMAPUR — Coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of the annual Hornbill Festival, Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, New Ministers’ Hill, Kohima, is organising ‘Flower Festival 2024,’ themed ‘Worship the Lord in beauty’ (1 Chronicles 16:29), from November 3 to December 8.
According to an update, the flower festival seeks to highlight the Cathedral’s dual significance as not only a site and sight for tourists but also to raise awareness that it has become one of the Christian pilgrimage centers in India as declared by the Government of India.
“Therefore, as one of the Pilgrimage sites of the country, the Flower Festival aims to promote pilgrimage and tourism, thereby enhancing the Cathedral’s visibility as a destination to pray and experience God’s healing touch and at the same time, foster and inculcate environmental stewardship,” it stated.
The festival will feature a variety of activities, including floral exhibitions showcasing vibrant arrangements and varieties, horticultural learning sessions, guided tours providing cultural and spiritual insights into the Cathedral along with its aesthetics.
Through this event, the organisers aim to also attract visitors, boost local tourism, and educate the community on sustainable gardening practices and the importance of preserving nature, the update stated.
The inaugural programme will take place on November 30 at 9 am at the Golden Jubilee Hall, Diocese of Kohima, with Minister of Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, as the special guest.
As part of the preparations, the Cathedral will be closed for maintenance from November 26 to the 29th. Visitors and tourists have been requested to plan their visits accordingly.
“The organisers warmly invite the public and tourists to participate in the Flower Festival and celebrate the spiritual, cultural, and environmental significance of this event,” it added.
Also read: Rio reviews Hornbill Festival preparations