Friday, Dec 12, 2025 22:45 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 17:06 [IST]
DARJEELING,: The third edition of the Darjeeling Melo-Tea Festival began on a vibrant note Thursday, featuring a showcase of local culture, tradition, music, and food - offering a glimpse of what’s in store for the days ahead.
Organised by the Darjeeling Police with support from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and various local organisations, the festival will conclude on December 14 with the much-awaited 12th Darjeeling Hill Marathon.
Darjeeling SP Praween Prakash said, “The fest celebrates the soul of Darjeeling. It blends world-famous tea with music, art and culture.”
As in previous years, the festival will host the D-Rock competition, which includes Western rock and Nepali rock categories. Nine bands in each category have been shortlisted to perform live at Chowrasta, with participants coming from Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Howrah, Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling. A total prize pool of Rs 28 lakh has been set aside for these two events.
Other attractions include stalls showcasing local art, craft, culture and cuisine around the Chowrasta area. Around 25 stalls selling locally made products such as perfumes, candles, décor items and crochet work have been set up, along with 21 stalls offering a variety of local dishes.
The festival also aims to highlight local traditions through fashion shows and cultural programmes, and to promote tourism through events such as the D-MTB race, which will be held from Takdah. The total prize money for the race is Rs 2 lakh. As part of the festival, organisers have also reintroduced the lesser-known Tenzing Norgay hike route at Rangeroon. Bird-watching is being promoted as well, with information and contact points provided for interested tourists.
The D-Create competition is another attraction, inviting participants to create reels on the Melo-Tea Fest using their favourite Purna Rai song. Winners will receive cash prizes and an opportunity to meet Purna Rai, with top creators also earning a place in the Darjeeling Police Influencer Squad.
Performances by well-known bands remain an integral part of the festival. This year’s headliners include Chakra and Mantra. Today’s major crowd-pullers were Purna Rai & Daju Bhai, along with a folk music performance by Warmamala Pariwar.
Meanwhile, the popular D-Run, known for drawing participants from across the world, will be held on the final day. The run will start and finish at Chowrasta, following a route set by the organisers. Participants can choose between 10 km and 21 km categories. The total prize pool for the event is Rs 9,80,000.
Today, GTA chief executive Anit Thapa handed over the key to an electric vehicle that will assist devotees who are unable to walk uphill from Chowrasta to Mahakal Mandir.
