A four-day, youth-led platform bringing together government, industry, local communities and travellers to showcase adventure sports, music and heritage
To strengthen Uttarakhand’s adventure and cultural tourism ecosystem, the district administration of Tehri Garhwal, in association with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, will host Himalayan O₂-the Tehri lake festival (HO₂-TTLF) from March 6-9 at Tehri Lake, a four-day, youth-led platform bringing together government, industry, local communities and travellers to showcase adventure sports, culture, music and heritage.
In a press statement, the organisers say that the festival will go beyond Tehri Lake, with activities planned across key tourist destinations in the district. This expansion aims to turn well-known locations into active centres of tourism and engagement during the festival period.
The organisers add that for the four-day festival invites adventurers, creators, performers and families to celebrate freedom in the mountains amid the breathtaking Himalayan foothills, with a focus on immersive, experience-led tourism.
Nitika Khandelwal
“This year, the four-day Tehri Lake Festival will not be limited to just Tehri Lake, but activities will also be organised at main tourist destinations of the district, so that famous tourist spots can become centres of tourist activities. We have partnered with over 100 hotels across the district who will provide support and accommodation with dedicated rooms during the festival dates,” says Nitika Khandelwal, District Magistrate, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.
According to the statement, under the theme ‘Breathe the Himalayas’, the festival will roll out eight trekking trails across the region, with local youth trained as guides to lead visitors along these routes.
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The initiative is designed to create livelihoods while giving travellers a more authentic, community-led way to experience the mountains.
“The aim is to celebrate the pulse of mountain life, encourage people to step beyond the familiar and highlight the area’s natural landscapes and cultural richness,” says Khandelwal.
The statement says that the festival programme includes live performances by music bands and artists such as Pandavaas and Amit Trivedi, along with a wide range of competitions and participatory events.
Key highlights and competitions at HO₂-TTLF include a photography competition capturing the spirit of Tehri through landscapes, culture and local life, with entries accepted via geo-tagged uploads on the official festival website, Master Chef Tehri, a culinary showcase celebrating regional flavours and innovative cooking and a painting contest at Bauradi Stadium, inviting artists to depict the beauty and stories of the Himalayan region.
Adventure-focussed events include a river rafting competition on the waters of the Tehri area in Muni ki Reti, along with trekking, paragliding, mountain biking and kite festival activities. The festival will also host fashion shows and pageants such as Mr and Miss Tehri, traditional attire showcases, rap and music battles for emerging performers and a series of cultural and awareness programmes.
According to the organisers, initiatives under the ‘Save Ganga’ theme, heritage showcases, devotional events such as Ganga Aarti, traditional food stalls and community-led exhibits will offer visitors a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural fabric.
The statement adds that to recognise exceptional achievement, top performers across competitions will receive cash awards of up to INR 100,000, along with special experiences including guided tours of the Tehri Dam, commemorative certificates and festival honours.