Araku Winter Fest Set for December Debut

Visakhapatnam: The three-day Araku Winter Festival is likely to be held during the first week of December this year. Being held for the first time in the valley, the festival will have participation of cultural troupes and artists from Adivasi states of the country. The event might be inaugurated by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, said ASR district collector AS Dinesh Kumar.

Talking to this correspondent on Friday, the collector said the chief minister was informed of the event and he tentatively agreed to inaugurate the festival.

``We might name it as `Chali Panduga’ and try to make it an annual festival,’’ the collector said.

In addition to cultural festivals from different states, artists would display their works at an exhibition to showcase the ancient art of the Adivasis. Competition in photography, drawing and painting for professionals and school children would be held during the festival.

Apart from these events, adventure sports like hot air balloon trips and heli-tourism would also be organized.

``We have spoken to three agencies and they have agreed to deploy helicopters for short sorties over the valley,’’ the collector said.

The festival would end up with a music concert on the final day, he added.

Asked about the infrastructure that was hit badly during the low pressures and monsoons, the collector said most of the roads have been repaired and the new national highway 516E was opened to the public recently. He said more view points were being added at the waterfalls and other popular tourist sites in the valley. Visitors from Odisha and Chattisgarh are also expected to visit Araku Valley for the festival, he added.

Travel agents said there would be a good rush in the agency this year as most of the hotels and lodges have been booked till Sankranti.

``Borra Caves alone draws over 10,000 tourists per day during the peak season. No other tourist spot in north Andhra get so many people,’’ said project officer of ITDA, Paderu, V Abhishek.

Padmapuram Gardens, Ananthagiri Hills, Lambasingi,Chintapalli Wildlife Sanctuary,Koyyuru,Galikonda,Tyda,Matsyagundam, Araku Tribal Museum, Galikonda View Point, Sangda Falls, Kataluru View Point, Ananthagiri Coffee Estates, Dhimsa Dams, Araku Valley Coffee Museum and Belum Caves are the popular spots in the ASR district