Hornbill Festival

The Union Home Minister inaugurated the hugely popular Hornbill Festival 2018 in Kohima, coinciding with the Formation Day of Nagaland.

Hornbill Festival offers unique opportunity for states to interact and exhibit their cultural heritage in the true spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat”.

Significance of Nagaland Geographically:

• Nagaland is geographically located at the vantage point.
• It is the gateway to the South-East Asia.
• North-East is the pivot of our Government’s ‘Act East’ Policy.

Hornbill Festival:

• Nagas celebrate this festival to revive, protect, sustain and promote the richness of the Naga heritage and traditions.
• It occurs during 1 – 10 December on an annual basis.
• It is also called the “Festival of Festivals”.
• The festival pays tribute to Hornbill, the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas for its qualities of alertness and grandeur.
• It is organized by State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments and also supported by Union Government.
• Hornbill Festival was established on 1st December 1963 and was inaugurated by the then President Dr. S Radhakrishnan.

Source: PIB