Antu Tourism Festival is being organized at Antu of Suryodaya Municipality-4 from today with the aim of establishing Antu as a tourist destination.

The two-day tourism festival is being organized by Suryodaya Municipality, said Durga Kumar Baral, coordinator of the organizing committee and deputy mayor of the municipality.

According to Deputy Mayor Baral, on the first day of the festival, 'Grand Finale' of 'Suryodaya Idol', stalls of various food dishes, Deepawali and musical programs have been organized today. 

On the second day of the festival, an observation of sunrise from Antudanda, exchange of greetings, display of costumes of endangered Lapcha species, cultural tableau of different ethnicities, stalls of food dishes, announcement of winner of 'Suryodaya Idol', prize distribution and musical programs will be organized, baral said.

In the grand finale of 'Suryodaya Idol', the winner will be selected from eight contestants.

Artists Yam Baral, Bhupendra Rai, Pujan Pradhan, Ganesh Parajuli, Shobha Parajuli and Futi Sherpa will perform in the festival.

On the occasion of the festival, the municipality has organized a message-based programme on control and management of drug abuse, alcohol and tobacco products, baral said.

Deputy Mayor Baral said, "The festival has been organized with the objective of establishing suryodaya as an all-time tourist destination." 

Coordinator Baral said that arrangements have been made so that 5,000 people can spend the night in 66 homestays, private hotels and cottages in Antu for the tourists coming to the festival.

According to him, 10,000 tourists are expected to visit nepal during the festival period. According to the organizers, rs 1 million will be spent to organize the festival.

Tourists visiting Antu return from Antudanda with a view of sunrise, view of various glaciers, boat ride at Antupokhari, enjoying the greenery and sallaghari.

Antudanda has a heavy presence of tourists in both the winter rainy seasons.

At present, 3,000 to 4,000 tourists visit Antudanda every day to see the sunrise. Rudra Ghimire, president of ShreeAntu Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, said the number of tourists visiting the country is highest on Saturdays.

"At present, around 3,000 to 4,000 domestic and foreign tourists visit the hotel every day," ghimire said. ’

Usually from the first week of October to mid-November.

Located at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level, Antudanda is famous for its view of sunrise. Tourists from Nepal, India and third countries come here.

Due to the convenience of transportation, many tourists reach Sriantu even if it is to stay for one night. For the first time, anyone who arrives in Sriantu returns with joy.

With the introduction of motorcycles and four-wheelers to reach Antu, it has become easier for the tourists. Sriantu is reached after a 13-kilometer journey from Fikkal Bazar, the administrative center of Suryodaya Municipality.