The 9th edition of the Orange Festival of Adventure and Music officially began on Friday, 13th December, with a grand flag-off of the JKTYRE Orange 4×4 Fury by Arunachal Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, at the Golden Pagoda in Namsai. This one-of-a-kind festival, which blends adventure sports, music, and the cultural heritage of the state, promises to offer an exciting weekend for attendees.
During his speech, Chowna Mein highlighted the festival’s growing importance in promoting the state’s natural beauty and adventure tourism. “The Orange Festival has evolved into a major attraction, not only for adventure sports but also for showcasing Arunachal Pradesh’s vibrant culture and spirit,” he said.
Since its inception in 2015, the festival has steadily gained popularity, featuring off-road racing, river rafting, ziplining, and live musical performances. Mein also expressed his vision of elevating the event to an international platform, where the state’s unique crafts, cuisine, and landscapes would be showcased to a global audience.
The festival has attracted a large number of visitors, particularly from neighboring Assam, with many festival-goers opting to camp in tents to fully immerse themselves in the experience. Additionally, Chowna Mein highlighted Bollywood actor John Abraham’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, which further spotlighted the state’s potential for adventure tourism.
Abu Tayeng, Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs, also addressed the gathering, proposing that the Orange Festival become a regular feature on the state’s sports calendar. He emphasized the event’s potential to increase youth participation while boosting tourism in the region.
This year’s JKTYRE Orange 4×4 Fury sees 27 off-road vehicles competing in two categories—Stock and Pro Mod—racing through the challenging terrains of Namsai and Dambuk. Defending champions, Team MOCCA from Arunachal Pradesh, will return to defend their title.
The festival will continue throughout the weekend, offering thrilling off-road races, musical performances, and various cultural activities, celebrating the traditions and natural beauty of Arunachal Pradesh. The event underscores the state government’s efforts to position Arunachal Pradesh as a premier destination for adventure tourism.
Key attendees at the inauguration included C R Khampa, DC Namsai, S Thinley, SP Namsai, Hari Singh, Head of Operations JK Tyre Motorsports, and Lhakpa Tsering, President of Adventure X Fusion Tribe.
