Guwahati: The Chandubi Festival of Assam will begin from January 1, 2021. The 11th edition of the festival will attract tourists from near and far places. Situated amidst the picturesque ambience in Kamrup district, Chandubi is one of the major tourist attraction of the state. It is a well-known picnic spot too.
The main attractions of the Chandubi festival is mostly the local folk culture, ethnic cuisine, local handloom and dresses, boating, etc. A major attraction of Assam Tourism, Chandubi lake was created during a massive earthquake in the year 1897. This freshwater lake was turned to an economically viable water body that would sustain different communities living around the lake. The major aim of the Chandubi Festival is to promote eco-tourism in this biodiversity hotspot of Assam.
The Chandubi Festival will be a four-day-long festival, which will witness a display of variety of traditions and ethnic culture. Food courts of different ethnic cuisines will also be put up.
Earlier in 2020, in the wake of the anti- Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in the state, the Chandubi Festival was cancelled.
A member of the Chandubi Celebration Committee said that the festival, which was scheduled to be held from January 1 to 5, was cancelled to express their solidarity with the people of Assam. The Laikhuta for the festival too was laid on November 21.
Chandubi Lake is 58 KM from the Guwahati Railway Station. This natural lake is situated at the foothills of the Garo Hills. Formed in 1897, the area was formerly filled with five mountains. However, during the massive earthquake, the five mountains had sunken into the ground and hence, the lake was formed. The name Chandubi is derived from two words where Chand means five and Dubi means sinking in Khasi language.
Chandubi is also a bird watchers paradise as it attracts a large number of migratory birds during the winter season.