The Fifth Edition of Kholey Dai: An Immersive Cultural and Sustainable Harvest Festival:

Held in Parengtar, a resilient farming village nestled on the Indo-Bhutan border in Kalimpong, this event is a remarkable showcase of cultural conservation, sustainable tourism, and zero-waste community practices.

Key Festival Highlights & Objectives

The Kholey Dai Festival, thoughtfully revived in 2021 by the Parengtar Nawlo Umanga Welfare Society in collaboration with Muhaan and Café Kalimpong, transcends a typical gathering. It is an act of honouring age-old traditions of collective farming, authentic folk music, traditional dance, and shared feasting.

Growing Significance: Evolving from a humble village event, the festival now annually attracts over 3,000 visitors, drawn by its unique commitment to authenticity and sustainability.
Exclusive Cultural Curations: The three-day itinerary features authentic folk acts, diverse cultural performances from multiple tribes, traditional folk arts, and a marketplace showcasing local food and products alongside sustainable enterprises.
Experiential Learning: Attendees can participate in meaningful workshops and engage in traditional games and diverse outdoor rural experiences, ensuring an inclusive and enriching experience for all ages.

A Model for Community-Based Tourism

The defining characteristic of Kholey Dai is the active and deep-seated participation of the rural communities, from the initial conceptualization to the final organization.

Integrated Community Model: The festival is integral to the burgeoning community tourism model in Parengtar. This initiative ensures that the event utilizes local resources, promoting a robust cyclic economy within the village.
Sustainable Accommodation: In a testament to community integration, local village houses are encouraged to offer accommodation as homestays, providing visitors with an authentic living experience.
Social Responsibility: A dedicated portion of the festival's revenue is directly contributed to the welfare of the Parengtar society, reinforcing the community ownership and beneficial impact of the event.

The Immersive Outdoor Experience

Kholey Dai celebrates the annual rice harvest, tracing the vital journey of rice from field to plate. This is more than a visit; it is an invitation to live alongside the community on the Indo-Bhutan border.

Authentic Rural Life: Experience daily life, savour traditional cuisine, and enjoy folk performances from across India.
Exploratory Activities: Opportunities abound to explore ancient crafts, hike through breathtaking landscapes, swim, fish, and partake in age-old village games.
Evening Culture: Evenings culminate in warm bonfires, engaging storytelling by village elders, and a deep immersion into authentic rural culture.

Rooted firmly in zero-waste practices and community stewardship, the Kholey Dai Festival offers a truly unique and immersive glimpse into Parengtar’s rich traditions and sustainable way of life.

Types of tickets:

A. FOR 1 DAY - PACKAGES

Packages for 1 Day only.

1.⁠ ⁠Only Pass (1 PAX)- No stay or meals included.

2.⁠ ⁠Pass + Camp/Homestay (1 PAX/2 PAX)- Ticket for 1 or 2 for festival entry, stay and breakfast.

3.⁠ ⁠Pass + Cottage (1 PAX/2 PAX/3 PAX) - Ticket for 1/2/3 for festival entry, stay and breakfast.

INCLUDES entry to festival grounds for chosen date, access to performances, workshops, and all music shows.

EXCLUDES lunch, dinner, transport, pre- or post-festival activities, or personal expenses.

B. FOR 2 DAYS - PACKAGES

Packages for 2 Days

1. Only Pass (1 PAX) – No stay or meals included.

2. Pass + Camp/Homestay (1 PAX/2 PAX) – Ticket for 1 or 2 including festival entry, stay for 2 nights, and breakfast.

3. Pass + Cottage (1 PAX/2 PAX/3 PAX) – Ticket for 1/2/3 including festival entry, stay for 2 nights, and breakfast.

INCLUDES entry to festival grounds for chosen dates, access to performances, workshops, and music shows.

EXCLUDES lunch, dinner, transport, pre- or post-festival activities, or personal expenses.

C. FOR 3 DAYS - PACKAGES

Packages for 3 Days

1.⁠ ⁠Only Pass (1 PAX) – No stay or meals included.

2.⁠ ⁠Pass+Camp/Homestay (1 PAX/2 PAX) – Ticket for 1 or 2 including festival entry, stay for 3 nights, and breakfast.

3.⁠ ⁠Pass+Cottage (1 PAX/2 PAX/3 PAX) – Ticket for 1/2/3 including festival entry, stay for 3 nights, and breakfast.

INCLUDES entry to festival grounds for chosen dates, access to performances, workshops, and music shows.

EXCLUDES lunch, dinner, transport, pre & post-festival activities, or personal expenses.

D. CHILD PACKAGES - UPTO 13 YRS

1. Kids below 5 years — Festival entry, stay, and breakfast are free. NO separate ticket is required; entry is included with the parent’s pass.

2. Kids between 5 and 13 years — ONLY stay charges based on the number of days. No festival entry charges, eligible ONLY on homestay & camping.

3. Above 13 years — No discounts. Same prices as adult tickets.

E. 21-DAYS CREATIVE RETREAT

An unhurried environment to soak in village life and its slow rhythm. Spend 20 flexible days in Parengtar (with breakfast & dinner) plus a 3-day Kholeydai festival pass—designed for artists, writers, and musicians to find routine, fresh inputs, and ease past creative blocks. Choose shared or single accommodation.

Pass is valid for single person.

Inclusions:

1. Flexible stay in Parengtar (20 days)

2. Accommodation and meals (Breakfast and Dinner)

3. 3-day festival pass

Exclusions:

Lunch , Travel

F. FOR 4 DAYS - PACKAGES

Packages for 1 Day only.

1.⁠ ⁠Only Pass (1 PAX)- No stay or meals included.

2.⁠ ⁠Pass + Camp/Homestay (1 PAX/2 PAX)- Ticket for 3 Days of festival entry, stay and breakfast.

3.⁠ ⁠Pass + Cottage (1 PAX/2 PAX/3 PAX) - Ticket for 1/2/3 for festival entry, stay and breakfast.

INCLUDES entry to festival grounds for chosen date, access to performances, workshops, and all music shows.

EXCLUDES lunch, dinner, transport, pre- or post-festival activities, or personal expenses.

Register now to secure your participation in this transformative cultural and sustainable experience. Would you like to know more about the festival dates or available accommodation options?

Kholeydai Festival