Sikkim winter carnival from Dec 22

Sikkim will host a winter carnival to showcase its mountainous beauty, ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture and adventure sports ahead of Christmas.
During the three-day festivities beginning December 22, the hill state's unique music will be given prominence with local artistes performing in traditional outfits.
The winter carnival's objective is to increase the influx of tourists, besides promoting traditional culture, cuisine and organic products, Sikkim Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel said.
Enthralling tourism adventure sports will include paragliding from Ani Gumpa, mountain biking, traversing Bakthang falls and rock climbing at Sellep Tanki among others.
Tourists visiting various hotels during the carnival would be treated to gastronomic delights prepared by local chefs. Various popular hotels and restaurants have also made special arrangements for vegetarian and fruit meals for fitness freaks.

Social media and mobile devices will be utilised to provide information about the carnival to attract tech savvy potential holidaymakers to the hilly destination.

Domestic tourists from West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and international tourists from Japan, Europe and England head in large numbers to India's cleanest state.
An average of seven lakh tourists visited the state last year and the number is expected to rise to 10 lakh this year.
The state has set a target of Rs 1,500 crore per annum economic activities by 2020 by attracting one lakh international tourists and 20 lakh domestic tourists, a release said.

Sikkim Governor Shriniwas Patil will inaugurate the carnival and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling will be the chief guest.
The Himalayan state is organising the event in collaboration with Incredible India and various tourism and travel associations.