Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tshering Thendup Bhutia, officially inaugurated the five-day Discover Ravangla – Cho Dzo Festival today. The festival is being held from 11 to 16 April 2025 at the scenic Cho-Dzo Lake in Ravangla, marking a significant celebration in commemoration of 50 years of Sikkim’s Statehood.
Organised by the Discover Ravangla – Cho Dzo Festival Committee with support from the Department of Tourism, Government of Sikkim, the festival centres on the themes of nature, culture, and sports. It aims to promote tourism and sports in the region while celebrating local traditions and hospitality.
As part of the festival, the Minister also inaugurated one of its main attractions – the 1st Chief Minister’s Gold Cup Open Volleyball Tournament – by ceremoniously raising the flag. A total of ten teams from across India are competing in this prestigious tournament.
In his welcoming address, Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia highlighted the festival’s mission to elevate tourism in Ravangla making it as a key tourist destination. He emphasised the festival’s potential to attract both domestic and international visitors, stimulating local economic growth and creating opportunities for educated youth.
He also shed light on various promising sectors of tourism in the region, including eco-tourism, cultural tourism, traditional tourism, and sports tourism.
The event was honoured by the presence of N B Dahal, Minister of the Road and Bridge Department, who served as the Guest of Honour.
The inaugural programme also featured a series of cultural performances by school students and local dance academies. These artistic displays celebrated the vibrant cultural heritage of Sikkim, including traditional dances, music, and other performances that reflected the unique identity of the region.
