Kholey Dai is a community-led harvest festival from Parengtar, a farming village on the Bhutan border in Kalimpong, known for its resilience, community-based tourism, and zero-waste practices.
Revived in 2021 by the Parengtar Nawlo Umanga Welfare Society, in collaboration with Muhaan and Café Kalimpong, the festival honours age-old traditions of collective farming, folk music, dance, and shared feasting.
From a humble village gathering, Kholey Dai has grown into a three-day celebration that now attracts 3,000+ visitors every year. The festival features exclusive curations of authentic folk acts, cultural performances of multiple tribes, folk arts, local food and products, sustainable enterprises, meaningful workshops, traditional games, and diverse outdoor rural experiences. Designed to be inclusive for all ages, Kholey Dai remains rooted in community ownership and zero-waste values.
Now in its 5th edition, the festival is complemented by year-round programmes on sustainability, youth leadership, cultural conservation, entrepreneurship, and food systems.
Outdoor
freedom
COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
What makes the festival stand out is the active participation of the rural communities right from the conceptualization to organization of the festival. The festival is a key element of the community tourism model that is being developed in Parengtar by the organizing team and the community members of the village which aims to integrate every possible aspect of the community. Promoting a cyclic economy the event is based on effective utilization of local resources from the community itself. As part of community tourism even the local houses of the village are encouraged to provide accommodation as homestays for the visitors of the festivals. Part of the revenue from the festival is also contributed for the welfare of the society of Parengtar.
An Outdoor
Experience to remember
Kholey Dai is Parengtar’s annual rice harvest festival, celebrating the journey of rice from field to plate. Visitors live with the community on the Indo-Bhutan border, experiencing daily life, traditional cuisine, and folk performances from across India.
Explore ancient crafts, hike through breathtaking landscapes, swim, fish, and play age-old village games. Evenings bring cozy bonfires, stories from elders, and a taste of authentic rural culture. Rooted in zero-waste practices and community participation, Kholey Dai offers an immersive glimpse into Parengtar’s traditions and way of life.
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