GUWAHATI
One of India’s longest carnivals has virtually turned the sandy banks of the Brahmaputra River into a beach offering a mix of culture, adventure, and glamping.
The northeast has State-specific events, including the Ziro Music Festival of Arunachal Pradesh, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival of Meghalaya, and Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival. The hunt for a festival with a pan-region flavour resulted in the 90-day Brahmaputra Carnival.
The carnival, billed as a celebration of culture, adventure and serenity, began on December 15, 2024 at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati, and a seasonal sandbar or island on the Brahmaputra about 4 km to the east. It is scheduled to end on March 15.
A statue of Lachit Barphukan, a 17th century Ahom general, overlooks the ghat or riverbank. The venue is also beside a new bridge being built across the river.
“The majestic, mighty, and mesmerising Brahmaputra is more than a river; it is the heartbeat of Assam’s culture and heritage, apart from being at the core of a major biodiversity hotspot on earth,” Tourism Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass said.
“The Brahmaputra Carnival is a grand celebration of Assam’s vibrant culture, exquisite cuisine, thrilling adventures, and the timeless allure of the river. This festival marks a pivotal step in showcasing our State’s rich heritage and welcoming travellers from across the globe,” Mr. Dass said.
Tourism officials said the carnival is a bid to promote river tourism to create unforgettable memories while contributing to the growth of Assam’s tourism ecosystem, which is largely dependent on the Kaziranga National Park more than 200 km to the east. It also gives visitors a glimpse of the cultural wealth of the other northeastern States, they said.
Adventure meets culture
Apart from jet skis, speedboat rides, parasailing, river rafting, kayaking, rides on all-terrain vehicles, and other activities, the highlight of the Brahmaputra Carnival is glamping, a portmanteau of ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping’, on an expansive sandbar that surfaces during the winter, when the water level of the river subsides. The sandbar is called the ‘Glamping Island Tent City’.
The package includes staying at a choice of tents (royal, premium, and deluxe), meals, and cultural programmes that range from the traditional to the hybrid. An added attraction is the opportunity to spot the playful Gangetic dolphin and laze on a luxury river cruise.
“This is a one-of-a-kind event combining exciting activities and tranquillity in luxurious tents close to a bustling city that offers other attractions to explore,” Padmapani Bora, Managing Director of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation said.
The city tour, an additional package, includes visits to the Kamakhya Temple, about 4 km away, and the Mahabahu Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre in a converted British-era District Magistrate’s bungalow nearby. There are options to visit Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, often called “mini Kaziranga”, about 50 km away, and the ‘silk village’ Sualkuchi about 30 km away.
“We hope to make Brahmaputra Carnival the northeast’s leading fun-filled event that swings between intense activities and leisurely, luxurious stays,” a tourism official said.
