Abstract ID: 3.9387 | Reviewing | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

The Great Himalayan Mountain range stretching from Nanga Parbat in west to Namjagbarwa Peak in east covering five countries like Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan and China is an adobe of distinctive indigenous people representing an array of diverse cultures, traditions, food and festivals along with its astounding natural widespread landscapes. Darjeeling Hills, often called ‘queen of hills’ as a part of Eastern Himalayas rendering a land of different communities belonging to multiple religious groups representing distinctive cultural traits in the form of fairs, festivals, traditions and customs. The study is focusing on fairs and festivals which are integral part of different communities like Gorkhas, Lepchas, Sherpas, Newars, Bengalis, Tibetan, Dhukpas staying in this mountain region depicting a sense of cosmopolitan nature along with intermixing of diverse ethnicity. Based on key observation and information from various secondary sources of information, a thorough review of various government sites, reports, literature, discussions with habitants, and tourists, the prominent role of festivals and related gatherings in attracting tourist flow with spreading knowledge of mountain cultures is the main objective of the study. The study explores two different dimensions of festival from seasonal perspective and from community religious perspective which are mainly attracting people across the globe as well as interstate and intra state flows. This study is attempting to showcase that this plethora of diversified festivals, fairs are major grounds of endorsing mountain cultures and boosting tourism both in the form of sustainable livelihood and economic expansion. Through this study another understanding of secular festivals as cultural elements is made to provide structure and meaning of shared brotherhood and foster a community sensitivity. As tourism has an important role specifically in mountain region to boost local economy therefore an attempt is also made to depict an inter relationship between tourism and these festive gatherings as cultural melting points and its impact on the region’s overall development. It can be said that this study is an effort to highlight the cultural side of Darjeeling hills which need to be advocated along with preserving people’s traditions and customs who are the protector of natural entities.